1. Chicago corn and soybean futures prices rose on the apparent end of a Russian ban on U.S. poultry imports. 2. He noted that the current point of tension between the United States and Russia was not the arms race but Russian barriers to U.S. poultry imports. 3. In the wake of the bird flu scare, a number of countries including Japan and Saudi Arabia have restricted poultry imports from China. 4. Kansas City and Chicago wheat futures prices tumbled Thursday on concern a Russian ban on U.S. poultry imports could escalate into a trade fight. 5. Russian authorities halted poultry imports in late February, citing concerns about safety. 6. But the resumption of poultry imports from the mainland might have to wait until after the holiday season. 7. But the unusual number of deaths discovered at the market early on Sunday will probably delay plans to resume poultry imports this week. 8. He said Russia had not set new standards for poultry imports, but that the problem was one of U.S. compliance with previously set sanitary standards. 9. Hong Kong officials say the virus could spread worldwide and Japan says it may ban poultry imports. 10. Meanwhile, the Agriculture and Fisheries Department is now working with mainland authorities to ensure both live and frozen poultry imports were from non-infected farms. |