Russia slaps ban on US poultry imports

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

MOSCOW (AFP) — Russia is banning imports from 19 US poultry suppliers as of Monday, and considering blacklisting 29 others, due to health concerns, the Russian veterinary control agency said.

The ban follows a failure by the 19 businesses to provide test results measuring the levels of antibiotics and arsenic in their products, the Rosselkhoznadzor agency in a statement issued Friday.

Russia is the largest export market for US poultry.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced the decision in an interview with CNN television on the Georgia conflict and Russia's decision to recognise the independence of two break-away Georgian regions.

"I want to add a disclaimer that it is not at all connected to Abkhazia or South Ossetia," Putin said....