U.S., RUSSIA CONCLUDE POULTRY TRADE DISPUTE

U.S., RUSSIA CONCLUDE POULTRY TRADE DISPUTE    The U.S. and Russian governments have ended a long-running trade dispute over poultry by agreeing to a new veterinary certificate for U.S. poultry exports to Russia.
   “This agreement comes at a critical time for the U.S. poultry industry and will allow trade flows to resume with much greater certainty,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman on Aug. 23.
   Russia is the largest market for U.S. poultry exports, with sales last year of more than one million tons valued at more than $600 million. Russia banned U.S. poultry shipments on March 1 for alleged health violations.
   Extensive talks were held between the two countries during the past several months to resolve the issue. These talks covered the development of a new certificate, test requirements and procedures, inspection guidelines, hygienic requirements, and other documentation and procedures.
   The U.S. negotiation team included representatives from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service, Food Safety and Inspection Services, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Health and Human Services Department’s Food and Drug Administration; and the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office.
   “The Russian market is extremely important to the economic viability of the U.S. poultry industry,” Veneman said. “Beyond this, we look forward to strengthening our cooperative relationship with Russia and to working together in many other important areas affecting our food and agriculture sectors.”