Russia Wants Right to Check Poultry
Russia said it wants the right to inspect U.S. poultry plants, a demand that came as the two countries were in tense negotiations after Russia banned imports of American chicken.
The countries were in talks this week about the Russian ban, which went into effect Sunday. Moscow says it is worried about sanitary conditions at U.S. plants and the use of antibiotics and feed additives. U.S. officials said the ban is not justified scientifically and is protectionism.
Chicken is the top American export to Russia, bringing more than $600million a year.
Russia is pushing for permission to send delegations to inspect U.S. plants that have shipped low-quality poultry to Russia or failed to produce required delivery documents.
Some allege that Russia’s ban is a preemptive move to retaliate for U.S. duties on steel imports announced last week--an accusation Russian officials deny.
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