US urges Russia to lift ban imposed over ractopamine

Russia imposed the ban on Monday, though it had been on the cards for some time. Ractopamine, a feed additive used as a growth promoter and to make meat leaner, is banned in Russia over human health concerns. However, the UN food safety body, the Codex , Alimentarius Commission, in July said the additive had “no impact on human health” if residue stays within recommended levels.

“Russia’s failure to adopt the Codex standard raises questions about its commitment to the global trading system,” U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a joint statement.

“The United States is very disappointed that Russia has taken action to suspend all imports of US meat, which is produced to the highest safety standards in the world,”

“Despite repeated U.S. requests to discuss the safety of ractopamine, Russia has refused to engage in any constructive dialogue and instead has simply suspended U.S. meat imports. The United States calls on Russia to restore market access for U.S. meat and meat products immediately and to abide by its obligations as a Member of the World Trade Organization.” Kirk and Vilsack said.