Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 6/1/09

U.S. and Russian officials reportedly are discussing a deal that would allow a more judicious process when Moscow decides to ban imports from U.S. meat plants.

Russia frequently bans U.S. meat plants from exporting product to Moscow on technicalities such as residues or export certificates, thereby causing trade disruptions. Most recently, the country suspended all meat imports from several U.S. states citing H1N1 concerns despite hearing from world health officials that people cannot get the virus from eating pork.

Under a new proposal discussed on the sidelines of the World Animal Health Organization meeting last week in Paris, Russia would not delist a U.S. plant until completing a 90-day investigative period in which Moscow could verify test results and take corrective steps, Reuters quoted Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, as saying.

"Everyone is very supportive as this would eliminate a major trade hurdle as plants can often be delisted while loading a boat or even on the water," he said.

Russia is the largest export market for U.S. poultry and a growing market for U.S. pork and beef.

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