Reacting to news of Russia's decision to ban imports of pork from five US plants, AMI president, J. Patrick Boyle, said: "A series of actions by Russia to ban US pork products – valued at $165 million in 2007 – are inconsistent with standards set by Codex Alimentarius, the international, food safety standard-setting body.

"Codex Alimentarius sets tolerance levels for very low residues of drugs commonly used to treat pigs – residues so low they are harmless to human health, according to scientists. Russia, however, has adopted a 'zero tolerance' for any level of some antibiotic residues. Russia stands alone globally in holding the US to these standards.

"Russia's continued actions to move toward full closure of its market to US pork are frustrating and inexplicable trade barriers that simply cannot be supported scientifically. US pork has an excellent reputation for safety worldwide. We appreciate USDA's efforts to better understand the rationale behind Russia's actions and to bring the actions to a swift resolution so that full pork trade with Russia may resume."

Further Reading

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