March 25, 2014
Russia approves US pork imports from Smithfield
Following additional food safety guarantees, Russia has allowed US pork imports from two firms of Chinese-owned producer, Smithfield Foods Inc., according to VPSS, Russia's veterinary watchdog.
Russia banned most meat imports from the US earlyin 2013due toconcerns over the use of the feed additive, ractopamine.The country'sdecision to allow importssoley from Smithfield Foods Inc., which wasacquired by China's Shuanghui International Holdings last year, comes amid Russia's decision to annex Crimea from the Ukraine.
However, it alsorequested for more food safety guarantees about the refrigerators used for supplies.
Contrary to Smithfield,there still remains 177firms whichare currentlynot allowed to shippork to Russia.