I wrote an article not long ago about this issue and Russia made it clear that reassurances were necessary:
Ractopamine: Russia Just Doesn’t Want It In Their Meat… (Me Either!)
In just another example of American, “We don’t care what you feel is important, it only matters what we feel is important!”
Russia has had to stop importing meat from the USA due to safety issues for her population…
(Now understand that Russian mean pork and beef when they say meat. Chicken and turkey fall in a different mind set with Russians…)
Russia has imposed a ban on US meat starting in February. The restrictions were enacted after the US Veterinary Service failed to meet regulations for levels of ractopamine, which stimulates muscle tissue growth. Chilled meat will be prohibited from February 4, and frozen meat imports will be banned starting on February 11. According to Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, the “US ignored numerous requests from the Russian regulative body, and refused to support its products with documentation confirming the absence of ractopamine…”
Similar reactopamine requirements have also been enacted for Canada, Brazil and Mexico: But “As of today we got a flat refusal only from American Veterinary Office,” a spokesperson for Russia’s Veterinary Service said…
Ractopamine is a chemical substance used in cattle and pig feed to increase the animals’ muscle tissue. It can cause toxic effects if ingested by humans, and is prohibited in many many countries. But it is allowed in the US as you read this right now…
Until the US gives written support that the meat does not have ractopamine in it, then Russia has decided to cease importation of those products and due to the fact that meat in the US does have the drug in it!
Well Russia may not be using US meat from now on…
Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia…