Russia has announced it will allow U.S. pork imports from two plants of Smithfield Foods. Russia banned most meat imports from the United States early last year because of concerns over the use of the feed additive ractopamine, but it had received additional guarantees, reports Reuters.
Russia agreed to allow imports of U.S. pork from two Smithfield firms in early March, but asked for more food safety guarantees about the refrigerators used for supplies. VPSS, Russia's veterinary watchdog, said on its websitethat out of 179 firms which produce and store pork in the U.S., Russia is now ready to accept it from two Smithfield firms and from four owners of refrigerators.
Russia is still facing possible sanctions from the United States due to the country’s actions in the Crimea.
Source: Reuters