Tuesday, November 13, 2012

US poultry industry urges action on Russia trade relations


    The National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and USA Poultry & Egg Export Council joined more than 500 other trade associations and businesses under the umbrella of the Coalition for U.S.-Russia Trade in calling on Congress to “move quickly” in the days ahead to approve legislation enacting permanent normal trade relations with Russia.
    In a letter to President Barack Obama, the coalition urged the president to work with Congress to ensure the passage of Russia’s removal from the Jackson-Vanik legislation and establishment of permanent normal trade relations with Russia. Russia acceded to the World Trade Organization in August, and the coalition said that U.S. competitors in Europe, China and elsewhere are happy to “step in and take advantage of meeting Russia's needs not only in infrastructure and modernization of its industrial base, but also the demands of a growing consumer class that is highly educated and appreciates quality.”
    The coalition said that until Congress passes Russia trade relation legislation, U.S. executives will be relegated to an “observer” status as foreign competitors gain contracts that could lock in commercial relationships for years. “Since Russia already officially entered into the WTO last summer, PNTR will ensure that poultry companies can take full advantage of new business opportunities, that Russia’s commitments in the WTO are enforced and that American businesses are on an equal playing field in the Russian market,” said members of the coalition. “Continuing to export $300 million of poultry to Russia annually will provide better incomes for more U.S. workers and additional poultry to be produced by a growing number of family farmers across America.”
    Other poultry interests signing the letters include: Penn Ag Industry Poultry Council, The Poultry Federation, Sanderson Farms, Simmons Prepared Foods, Texas Turkey Federation, Virginia Poultry Federation, Wisconsin Poultry and Egg Industry Association, California Poultry Federation, Case Farms, Chicken and Egg Association of Minnesota, Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc., Georgia Poultry Federation, Iowa Turkey Federation, Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, North Carolina Poultry Federation and Ohio Poultry Federation.

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