Russia is threatening to ban fresh chilled pork from Canada
and the United States beginning Feb. 4.
Ractopamine, marketed under the brand name Paylean, is the reason for Russia’s threats, even though
Canadians have promised that they will implement protocols to ensure that pork
for Russia is from hogs that have never been administered the growth promotant.
Canada has told the Russians it can comply by Feb. 28. The United
States has made no similar promises.
Most of North American pork exports to Russia are frozen and
Russia insists that it must also be from hogs that have not been administered
ractopamine.
The U.S. reports record pork exports to Russia of $308
million since November.
