Source  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 3/29/10

Russia has lifted import bans on most U.S. pork suppliers, according to a story by Reuters.

"I have signed documents lifting restrictions on practically all U.S. suppliers," Sergei Dankvert, head of the country's agricultural watchdog, was quoted as saying.

Earlier this week, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that two Cargill pork plants were eligible to ship to Russia product produced on or after March 22. The agency approved the export verification programs of 11 other major U.S. slaughterhouses, but Moscow had yet to officially reauthorize shipments from those facilities.

Jim Herlihy, vice president of information services for the U.S. Meat Export Federation, told Meatingplace that there has been no change to that status.

"Before we start exporting, we need written confirmation of these verbal statements," he said. "We're waiting for the process to be completed and everything to be documented."

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