Russian importers have new demands for US poultry companies after a US-Russia agreement allowed the import of poultry from approved processors, according to Businessweek.
Russia banned the import of US chicken processed with chlorinated rinses in January and after a seven month hiatus, the countries agreed on terms to allow the import of US chicken again. USDA approved several US processing plants and storage facilities under the new rules.
Russia imported $767 million in US poultry last year and exports have dropped substantially in the past months.
Currently, Russia wants to add an additional step to the original agreement, asking for safety reviews of American processing plants. US Trade Representative Ron Kirk stated that their "behavior is just not acceptable. The frustration is: There is always something new."
Gary Mickelson, spokesman for Tyson Foods Inc. stated that the company was hopeful that any remaining trade issues with Russia would be resolved quickly.
To read the Businessweek story, click here.
Posted: 08/05/2010
