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US still furious over Russian meat trade barriers 24 Dec 2009
US trade officials continue to press the Russian authorities to lift trade barriers that threaten U.S. meat exports to Russia, state Russian media reports.
By Evegen Vorotnikov
Currently Russia remains one of the largest buyers of US pork. According to the American Association of Meat Exporters, in 2008 Russia imported more than 217,800 tonnes of pork from the U.S. compared to 99,900 tonnes in 2007, however for the last several months these volumes have been significantly reduced due to recent measures of the Russian Veterinary Service which banned pork supplies from 15 American enterprises.
Meanwhile, according to US officials, the requirements of meat imports applied by Russia are much tougher than those applied in the WTO. Earlier this week US trade representative Ron Kirk has said that the bans "had an immediate and devastating impact on our industry," and are not based on acceptable scientific standards. According to Mr Kirk, it would be easier to solve trade irritants with Russia, if Russia were a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Meanwhile, according to US officials, the requirements of meat imports applied by Russia are much tougher than those applied in the WTO. Earlier this week US trade representative Ron Kirk has said that the bans "had an immediate and devastating impact on our industry," and are not based on acceptable scientific standards. According to Mr Kirk, it would be easier to solve trade irritants with Russia, if Russia were a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Russian and U.S. officials have discussed technical standards applied to imported meat in Russia since May, but have not reached any compromises. Experts say that Russia is continuing to implement a protectionist policy in favour of domestic meat producers.
"It's just protectionism in favour of interests of a small group of local producers," said Anders Aslund, a representative of the US Institute for International Economics, which focuses on trade relations with Russia.
According to Mr Aslund, the United States should raise the issue at the highest political level in order to relieve the current tensions.
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