Ever since the outbreak of the A(H1N1) virus Russia has banned the import of U.S. pork products. Rosselkhoznadzor, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, is the Russian agency responsible for implementing the ban on pork from the U.S. MeatInternational.com announced that Russia has lifted the ban on 4 states (Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas and New Jersey) so far:
According to the Service, taking into account a sustainable situation with the A
H1N1 virus in the mentioned states, Rosselkhoznadzor has made a decision to
resume all meats import including pork and its by-products, as well as livestock.
The U.S. continues to work with the Russian government on opening up the meat markets and have indicated that a favorable resolution of the issue may help with other trade issues. In Forbes they quoted the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, as saying:
U.S. lawmakers would likely regard action on meat imports as a first step toward
repealing the 1974 law that limited trade with Communist nations...
With trade opening up to the first few states it is likely that more states will soon follow and increased exports can only help the struggling pork industry.
Posted: 7/10/2009
