Dive Summary:

• Russia has announced that starting February 11, all pork and beef from the U.S. will be banned, as questions over the use of ractopamine linger.
• The drug, legal to use in the U.S., is meant to promote growth and keep cows and pigs lean.
• The U.S. is responding negatively to the announcement, calling Russia out for retaliatory politics and going against World Trade Organization policies.

From the article:

“The United States is very concerned that Russia has taken these actions, which appear to be inconsistent with its obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in December when Russia first announced it would test beef and pork imports for the drug. “The United States calls on Russia to suspend these new measures and restore market access for U.S. beef and pork products.”