Meatingplace reports that eleven other major US pork slaughterhouses that the country had banned over antibiotic concerns are still awaiting final clearance from Russia.

The two Cargill plants, located in Beardstown, Illinois, and Ottumwa, Iowa, are eligible to ship to Russia pork products produced on or after 22 March, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) said on its website yesterday.

Eleven plants owned by Smithfield Foods, Tyson Foods, Seaboard Corp. and Triumph Foods have had their export verification programs approved by USDA, but they have not yet been officially relisted to ship pork to Russia.

These 13 plants represent 90 per cent of total US pork exports to Russia.

Earlier this month, Russia agreed to end its ban related to the use of tetracycline based on US assurances that pork producers would keep Moscow-bound product free of the antibiotic.

A week ago, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said US exporters should resume pork shipments to Russia within the next week. USDA officials could not be reached for a status update before deadline.