USTR, USDA finalize agreement with Russia on U.S. poultry quotas

The U.S. Trade Representatives Office (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have concluded consultations that amended the five-year bilateral meat and poultry agreement with the Russian government. The jointly-signed statement by the two governments today marks a critically important step in the continuation of poultry and meat trade with Russia.
The protocol agreement between the Russian and U.S. governments reduces the 2009 poultry quota to 750,000 tons. The new agreement will allow the U.S. 78.8% of the total Russian poultry import quota. The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council said it expects this percentage level to be maintained in future years as Russia balances its import requirements with domestic production.The protocol officially rescinded chlorine restrictions on U.S. poultry imports until at least January 2010 and set a new quota level for poultry and pork.
There are no assurances beyond 2009 on chlorine restrictions, but the U.S. poultry industry and U.S. government will be working to find a permanent solution to this issue.U.S. government officials received assurances from Russia’s chief sanitary officer with the Ministry of Health that moisture and frozen packaging requirements will also not affect U.S. trade in 2009.
The U.S. and Russian governments have also agreed to address a number of plant inspection issues. Russia’s Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Services (VPSS) has indicated it will conduct meat and poultry plant audits as early as February, but the U.S. government said that this should not be done without further agreement on inspection protocol, noting that the previous protocol still remains in effect.
The Russian Federation is the number one export market for U.S. poultry meat and the fourth largest market for U.S. pork. U.S. exports of poultry and pork to the Russian Federation reached $720 million and $191 million, respectively, in 2007.