Saturday, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk asked Russia to suspend its new test requirement for U.S. Meat Exports to Russia. The new regulation requires imported meat to undergo testing for and be certified free of Ractopamine, which is added to animal feed in the United States to make meat leaner. In a joint statement, Vilsack and Kirk said they want Russia to suspend these new measures and restore market access for U.S. beef and pork products.
They noted – these actions appear to be inconsistent with Russia’s obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization. Adding – this is an important opportunity for Russia to demonstrate that it takes its WTO commitments seriously.
In a statement, the US Meat Export Federation said – while USMEF does not comment on ongoing government-to-government discussions, we support calls by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack for Russia to suspend these new measures and restore market access for U.S. beef and pork products.
Source: NAFB News Service