A USDA spokesman pointed out that there is no scientific basis for the ban and that freezing is a long-used, internationally accepted method of securing the safety of food products. A spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative’s office told Reuters that such a move would be an obstacle to Russia joining the World Trade Organization.
"We just don't know what is going on. We are working with the U.S. embassy to try and find out what is going on," said Toby Moore, spokesman for the trade group USA Poultry and Egg Export Council. "Hopefully, we can find out something today."