Russia has scrapped plans to remove a ban on U.S. pork imports, 2 days after a Russian veterinary and phytosanitary inspection service delegation was refused entry to the U.S., DNI.ru reported Tuesday
The visit by the service, known as Rosselkoznadzor, was planned for Sunday, the day after Russia's upper house of parliament gave the green light to send military forces into Ukraine, prompting outcry in the West and threats of economic sanctions.
Rosselkoznadzor had been prepared to permit two Smithfield Packing plants to supply pork to Russia starting on March 10, based on guarantees that the use of certain growth hormones would end. U.S. pork had long been under embargo, due to the use of ractopamine and other growth hormones that are illegal in Russia. Ractopamine, which increases rate of weight gain, is banned in over 160 countries.
The Rosselkoznadzor delegation had hoped to travel to Washington to discuss U.S. guarantees on hormone use and finalize the time frame of the first deliveries. U.S. representatives, however, refused to meet with the Rosselkoznadzor representatives, and said that their next meeting — during negotiations on Kazakhstan's ascension to the World Trade Organization — would also be cancelled.
Despite the snub, Rosselkoznadzor said the door was still open for U.S. businesses to begin deliveries by March 10. "If they can give us additional guarantees before this date, then from that moment we will start delivery of pork from these two U.S. companies, if not, the date will be postponed" Rosselkoznadzor's official representative, Aleksey Aleksenko, said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
