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The United States and Russia
have signed an agreement that will enhance the access of
U.S. meat and poultry to the Russian market. The pact, which
formalizes an accord reached in 2003, remains in effect
until 2010.
The pact allows the United States to export specific quantities
of poultry, beef and pork at mutually determined tariff
levels, with quantities exceeding those amounts subject
to higher tariffs. Included in the pact are rules on the
allocation and distribution of import licenses and veterinary
permits. The pact also contains a provision that ensures
trade representatives from the United States and Russia
will meet at least twice a year to discuss market conditions
and administrative issues.
"The signing of this agreement is an important step forward
in U.S.-Russian agricultural relations and enables us to
negotiate with greater certainty on agricultural issues
as part of the Russian Federation's bid to join the World
Trade Organization," noted U.S. Trade Representative Rob
Portman.
Russia is the United States' top market for poultry exports,
which were valued at nearly $700 million in 2001. Russia
also is the sixth largest market for U.S. pork and the seventh
for U.S. beef.
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