American poultry-processing companies would be allowed to ship to Russia only those products that were processed with the use of non-chlorine compounds that have undergone testing and approval in Russia. U.S. negotiators have asked to add to the list of approved methods of treatment solutions that have passed veterinary certification in the U.S. and feature similar chemical composition as the compounds approved by the Russian side. American officials asked Russia to add to the list of approved chemical compounds 22 sterilizing solutions, however, only 12 of them have passed certification in Russia.

The issue of poultry imports has been recently discussed at a meeting of the head of Rosselkhoznadzor Mr. Sergei Dankvert and Minister-Counselor for Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow Mr. Scott Reynolds. Further talks will be necessary.  

Russia instituted sanitary norms that imposed a ban on the importation of chlorine-processed meat on January 1, 2010. The prohibition applies to almost all poultry and meat products that were shipped into the country from the United States.

The first series of bilateral discussions between Russia and the U.S. on the meat importation issue were conducted in January. An additional round of negotiations took place in March. Both sides are interested in restarting the importation of poultry from the U.S. to Russia.

The Russian Federation is one of the largest foreign markets for American poultry. In 2008, the country imported 823 267 tons of chicken that originated in the United States. In 2007, imports stood at 855 808 tons. Despite the decrease in quantity, the dollar value of these shipments went up by 8 percent in 2008, increasing to USD 801 million.

According to the Russian Institute of Agrarian Marketing, poultry producers in Russia filled the market void that was created by the blockage of American supplies. At the same time, the cost of Russian chicken meat to ordinary consumers is higher than what the people got used to paying for American poultry.