Russia Restricts Imports to Protect Local Industry

GLOBAL - Russian poultry meat production is predicted to increase by almost nine per cent this year. The Russian authorities have halted imports from three US plants because of antibiotic residues.
calendar icon 23 March 2009
clock icon 3 minute read
The Moscow Times reports that Russian poultry meat output will increase 8.8 per cent in 2009 as the government restricts imports and producers receive subsidies to offset expenses. The newspaper cited a statement from the US Foreign Agricultural Service on 20 March.

Broiler meat production may total 1.74 million tons, up from 1.6 million tons in 2008, attachés Erik Hansen and Mikhail Maksimenko said in a report. Imports may drop 15 per cent to 980,000 tons from 1.155 million tons in 2008.

"Continued government imposition of import-restricting policies" may contribute to domestic output gains, the report said. "The fact that the production forecast is still positive in the middle of a serious global financial crisis is directly related to investment-credit subsidies."

Russia was the largest importer of US chicken meat last year, buying 1.8 billion pounds, down 3.8 per cent from 2007, according to US Department of Agriculture data.

In a separate statement, the USDA said Russia was halting poultry imports from three US plants – including facilities owned by Tyson Foods and Sanderson Farms – after reporting that shipments contained the residue of antibiotics.

The USDA "has requested information from Russia," spokeswoman, Amanda Eamich, told Moscow Times on 20 March. "We will then work with the establishments to determine if, in fact, the antibiotics and anti-parasitics were used and will then take appropriate actions."

Further Reading

- You can view the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service report by clicking here.
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