MINAG DELISTS 5 MORE U.S. PORK

UNCLAS MOSCOW 003683 SENSITIVE SIPDIS USDA FAS FOR OCRA/KUYPERS; OSTA/HAMILTON, BEAN PASS FSIS/HARRIES, DUTROW PASS APHIS MITCHELL STATE FOR EUR/RUS, STATE PASS USTR FOR CHATTIN, HAFNER, KLEIN BRUSSELS PASS APHIS/FERNANDEZ VIENNA PASS APHIS/TANAKA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ETRD ECON WTO RS SUBJECT: MINAG DELISTS 5 MORE U.S. PORK FACILITIES REF: A) MOSCOW 3559 B) MOSCOW 3473 C) MOSCOW 2769, D) MOSCOW 2949, E) MOSCOW 3181 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Russian Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS) advised via official letter dated December 12, 2008(transmitted to the U.S. Embassy on December 16, 2008) that starting on January 1, 2009, an additional 5 pork facilities will be delisted. This action brings the total number of pork plants delisted, as a result of the October inspection to 19 out of 28 plants (REF A and B). The results of one remaining pork facility are still pending. The letter also lifts temporary restrictions on two plants. FAS/Moscow transmitted the original and courtesy translation to USDA. An informal embassy translation of the letter follows. END SUMMARY. ¶2. FEDERAL VETERENARY AND PHYTOSANITARY SURVEILLANCE SERVICE Orlikov per., 1/11, 107139, Moscow 84, Russian Federation Phone: (7 499) 975-4347 Fax: (7 495) 607-5111 E-mail: info@svfk.mcx.ru http://www.fsvps.ru Moscow, December 12, 2008 # FS-?S-2/12725 Deputy Administrator of USDA FSIS Mr. Ronald K. Jones Dear Mr. Jones: Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS) extends its regards to FSIS, USDA and informs you about the following. VPSS experts have carried out tests of the materials taken during audit conducted from October 24 to 29, 2008, of the U.S. meat processing facilities (MPF) and cold storages for pork, that are approved for export their products to the Russian Federation. The results of the tests indicated that 5 facilities (# 199, 1620, 2029, 5813 and 31681) out of 10 MPF audited during the inspection do not comply with the Russian requirements. As a result, starting from January 1, 2009, these facilities are delisted from the list of approved facilities for export of pork and raw pork products to the Russian Federation. Also as the result of the audit tests, VPSS lifts temporary restrictions from facilities MPF #717M, 717CR for export meat and meat products from the U.S to the Russian Federation. We would like to make clear that the products that have been produced during the period when the restrictions were in place, are not allowed for entry to the Russian Federation. Dr. Jones, let me assure you of my highest esteem, Deputy Head A.I. Saurin BEYRLE