Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 7/9/09

Russia will suspend imports of pork products from Smithfield Packing Co.'s Smithfield, Va., slaughter facility effective July 15, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Wednesday.

Certificates can be signed for pork originating from this establishment through July 14, Product must be loaded on ship by July 14, the agency said.

FSIS gave no indication as to the reasoning behind Russia's latest ban, another in a long series that has become an issue of hot debate between officials from both countries.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Wednesday told reporters he urged Moscow to lift bans on U.S. pork and poultry as a way to move forward on other trade matters between the two countries. Locke accompanied President Obama during two days of talks with Russian officials this week.

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