Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLAC.COM, 3/17/10

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Tuesday the first shipments of U.S. pork to Russia since the two countries reached a new trade agreement earlier this month should resume sometime in the next week, according to a report by Dow Jones.

Under the new protocol, U.S. exporters will be required to demonstrate their pork does not contain antibiotics banned by Russia. Major U.S. suppliers have been approved to resume trade with Russia. 

Meanwhile, U.S. and Russian officials are close to reaching an agreement on resuming U.S. poultry exports, the Interfax news agency reported, quoting Gennady Onishchenko, head of the country's consumer protection watchdog.

Onishchenko was quoted as saying both sides have been finalizing details and could soon meet to sign an agreement.

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