Russia-Accusation fly over meat bans.

Tyson Foods Inc. was among 15 companies worldwide to have plants affected by a broad meat import ban instituted by Russia on Tuesday.

"We learned yesterday (after the earnings call) that our pork plant in Perry, Iowa, has been temporarily suspended from exporting to Russia. We hope to learn more about the suspension from the USDA. We do know the suspension is not related to Russian concerns over the H1N1 virus," Tyson Foods spokesman Gary Mickelson noted said in an e-mail.

Pork sales to Russia totaled $45 million in 2008 for Tyson Foods, according to the filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

U.S. meat insiders say the recent ban more political hardball from a country trying to protect their own agricultural interests.

Russia has said it aims to be self-sufficient in poultry and pork by 2012. A statement from Russian officials indicated the affected plants had violated the country’s veterinary rules.