Russia to accept US poultry from 27 facilities-USDA

CHICAGO, July 24 (Reuters) - Russia will accept U.S. poultry from 27 facilities, the U.S. government said late on Friday after the two countries reached a deal in June in which U.S. chicken going to Russia will not be treated with chlorine.

Russia, once the top export market for U.S. chicken taking about $800 million worth annually, banned the meat early this year claiming the chlorine treatment violated its food safety rules. Chlorine was used as a disinfectant but now U.S. companies shipping to Russia will use other treatments.

Late on Friday, the U.S. Agriculture Department released a list of processing plants and storage facilities that can ship chicken to Russia.

The approved list includes plants of some of the nation's top producers such as Tyson Foods Inc (TSN.N), Pilgrim's Pride Corp (PPC.N), and Sanderson Farms Inc (SAFM.O).

A complete list can be found at:

link.reuters.com/hab49m

(Reporting by Bob Burgdorfer)