September 16, 2013
Russia to inspect US poultry farms by October
In October, veterinary specialists from Russia''s agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor will carry out inspections on US poultry farms over ractopamine issue.
This is according to a Rosselkhoznadzor spokesman after taking part in a phone talks between the veterinary services of both countries.
"We received a proposal from our American colleagues to carry out inspections in October but no date has been set yet, we need to check our schedules, but it will probably happen at the end of the month," the official said, adding that there will definitely be inspections.
The export of turkey meat without ractopamine to Russia was also discussed, he said. Russia stopped meat supplies, including turkey, from the US on February 11, 2013 due to the use of ractopamine in its production.
The talks were aimed at ensuring Customs Union countries are sure that the US veterinary service is doing enough to control the use of ractopamine, Rosselkhoznadzor chief Sergei Dankvert said.
The Federal Customs Union reports that the US exported US$18.1 billion worth of meat, by products and live animals to Russia in 2012. Supplies of frozen beef amounted to 47,900 tonnes (US$223.4 million), chilled beef topped 1,000 tonnes (US$16.9 million) and pork - 92,100 tonnes (US$300.4 million).
Poultryimports to the Customs Union totalled 406,700 tonnes for US$456 million. Russia obtained 74.4% of supplies (in value terms) and Kazakhstan - 25.6%.