Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 1/15/10

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Thursday the United States must comply with Moscow's standards for imports of poultry or his country will find alternative sources, according to a report by Reuters.

Putin reportedly said, however, that Russia will accept poultry shipments cleared by customs before Jan. 19, the day the two countries are said to begin talks on the issue.

Russia on Jan. 1 implemented a ban on poultry treated with chlorine, effectively blocking U.S. product.

Putin said Washington had plenty of notice of Moscow's new rules, but the United States failed to make necessary adjustments.

"If some foreign suppliers do not want, or are unable to observe our safety demands, then we will have to use other sources (of supply)," he is quoted as saying.

U.S. officials have warned Russia of the crippling effect Moscow's measures would have on the U.S. poultry industry. Washington also has contended that the new rules would raise costs for Russian consumers.

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