A bill to eliminate Cold War-era restrictions on U.S. trade with Russia moved another step forward last week when it was passed by the Senate. The House had already passed the bill. It will now go to President Obama for consideration. Political experts predict that he will approve it. Click here to read dairy industry groups' take on the bill.
Human rights provisions in the trade bill, however, were not well received by Russian officials. Almost immediately after passage of the bill, Moscow announced a ban on meat from the U.S. containing the growth additive ractopamine.Political controversy in Taiwan over ractopamine has led to decreased U.S. beef exports to that country. PD
—Compiled from various sources
