Russia is set to impose a temporary ban on the import of US turkey over concerns about the use of ractopamine, a feed additive banned in Europe.
According to Russia's Veterinary and Phyto-Sanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS), the ban will come into effect on 11 February 2013, reports Reuters.
Earlier, Russia decided to ban beef and pork imports from the US from 11 February 2013 over the same issue.
Russia imported about 356,800 tons of poultry, valued at $516m from non-CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) between January and October 2012.
Since November 2012, the US exported 3,930 tons of turkey, estimated to be worth $7.8m to Russia, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service.
Ractopamine is generally added to feed in the US and other countries to promote leanness in cattle and hogs. However, this additive is banned in the European Union, Russia and China over concerns that it may pose health risk.
