Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 11/15/10

The Russian Veterinary Service (VPSS) has updated its list of eligible U.S. poultry plants and cold storage facilities, including approvals and suspensions, following its most recent round of audits, according to the U.S.A. Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC).

The Russian agency audited 33 U.S. slaughter plants and cold storage facilities in October to check compliance with a new export agreement.

Approved on Friday to export chicken to Russia are the following facilities: Tyson Foods Inc. (Buena Vista, Ga.), Harrison Poultry Inc. (Bethlehem, Ga.), Koch Foods (Ashland, Ala.), Butterball (Mt. Olive, N.C.), Koch Foods (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Amick Farms (Hurlock, Md.), Tyson (Vienna, Ga.) and Equity Group-Ky. Division LLC (Albany, Ky.)

Russia, however, placed temporary restrictions on the following facilities, two of which had been approved prior to the audits: Tyson (Blountsville, Ala.), Wayne Farms LLC (Union Springs, Ala.), Tyson (Sedalia, Mo.), Pilgrim’s Pride (Dallas) and Tyson (Albertville, Ala.).

Six establishments remain on the approved list, having been approved prior to the audit and passing it again. They are Pilgrim’s Pride (Russellville, Ala.), Pilgrim’s Pride (Athens, Ga.), Tyson (Springdale, Ark.), Tyson (Cumming, Ga.), OK Foods Inc. (Heavener, Okla.) and OK Foods (Fort Smith, Ark.)

Another four facilities, according to USAPEEC, will be included after approval by Kazakhstan and Belarus: Tyson (Nashville, Ark.), Tyson (Pine Bluff, Ark.), Burris Refrigerated Services (Federalsburg, Md.) and Cloverleaf Cold Storage (Chillicothe, Mo.).

Russia is still analyzing information provided by FSIS on Tyson (Glen Allen, Va.), Tyson (Hope, Ark.), Koch Foods (Cumming, Ga.), MarJac Poultry (Gainesville, Ga.), Jenny-O Turkey Store (Faribault, Minn.) and Tyson (Robards, Ky.)

USAPEEC said it is working with FSIS to get clarification and more information on deficiencies that Russia noted in other establishments.
 

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