Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Senator Thad Cochran, Ranking Member of the Committee, have urged US Trade Representative Ron Kirk to quickly address Russia’s new import ban on US beef, poultry and turkey, which they say would cost the US economy $600 million annually.

The senators say the the ban is unfounded, not based on sound science and violates World Trade Organization rules.

The trade violation stems from Russia’s zero-tolerance policy regarding ractopamine, a feed additive for livestock approved by both the US Food and Drug Administration and the Codex Alimentarius Commission, an international organisation that sets science-based food safety standards.

Senators Stabenow and Cochran wrote in a letter that “Russia has now banned US beef, pork and turkey imports as it imposes its new zero-tolerance standard. With this trade worth $600 million annually, Russia’s standard is an egregious trade barrier with no scientific merit.

“With your swift action and use of all enforcement tools available, it is our sincere hope that the issues surrounding Russia’s import ban can be quickly and decisively resolved thereby ensuring a stable and predictable trading environment for US livestock producers and exporters.”