Russia Suspends US Chicken Imports

Russia suspends shipments from 3 US poultry plants
Fri Mar 20, 2009 7:59pm EDT


CHICAGO, March 20, (Reuters) - Russia will suspend imports from three U.S. poultry plants beginning March 27, one of which is owned by Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N), the largest U.S. chicken producer, USDA said this week.

No reason was given in USDA report for the suspensions and Tyson said on Friday it was looking into the action against its Cumming, Georgia, chicken plant.

The two other plants include Sanderson Farm Inc's (SAFM.O) chicken plant at Hammond, Louisiana, and the Peco Foods Inc poultry plant at Canton, Mississippi.

"We are trying to find out why the Russians want to stop shipments from Cumming plant, which is operating smoothly and continues to produce safe, high quality products," Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said in an email. "Since we have other U.S. poultry plants that are approved to ship to Russia, the suspension of the Cumming facility should not affect our overall international sales."

Russia is the largest importer of U.S. chicken.


http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerG