Smithfield, Tyson pork plants cleared by Russia

March 20, 2010 — 

Russia has announced it will approve imports of pork from seven Smithfield Foods Inc. and two Tyson Foods Inc. slaughterhouses, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said on its Web site.

The plants were among a group of 11 U.S. pork plants to get Russia's blessing after the country ended a ban related to the use of tetracycline. Washington agreed last week to Moscow's requirement that U.S. pork would be free of the antibiotic.

Plants owned by Seaboard Foods and Triumph Foods also were approved to export pork products to Russia.

The action involved dozens of cold storage facilities as well.

To view a full list of eligible exporters to Russia, click here.