|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NPPC lauds reopening of Russian pork market |
|
|
|
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Pork Producers Council applauded an agreement reached between the United States and Russia that will reopen the Russian market to U.S. pork. By the end of last year, Russia had delisted virtually all U.S. pork facilities, prohibiting them from shipping pork to the country.
“We are very pleased that Russia is re-opening its market to U.S. pork; it’s a very important destination for our products,” said NPPC President Don Butler.
“NPPC also is very appreciative of the efforts of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative in getting this deal done.”
In 2008, the United States shipped $476 million of pork to Russia, making that country the No. 5 market. Last year they fell to $289 million because of a several-months ban on U.S. pork over concerns about the H1N1 flu, the global economic downturn and Russia delisting a number of U.S. pork facilities. Exports to Russia, which were just $7.6 million in 2003, have soared since the United States and Russia signed a meat agreement in 2004.
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Chair-man of the U.S. Senate Ag Committee said, “I am pleased the Russian government will reopen their market to U.S. pork and pork products. Reopening this $257 million market is an important step toward getting pork producers in Arkansas and across the country to get back on their feet after being hit hard by the nation’s economic downturn.”
The United States agreed to develop a new veterinary certificate to ensure that U.S. pork exports meet specific Russian microbiological and tetracycline-group antibiotic residue requirements. U.S. plants that want to export to Russia must apply for approval with the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. AMS, in collaboration with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, has developed an Export Verification (EV) program for pork going to Russia to address specific product requirements.
“Our pork meets U.S. and international standards, so we did not see the need for the EV program,” said Butler. “But the Russians wanted the program, and we wanted to get back in the market.
“And while the reopening of the Russian market is great news for our producers, we now need to get China to reopen its market to U.S. pork.”
China closed its market to U.S. pork in late April after the initial reports on the H1N1 flu outbreak. In December, China announced it would reopen its market but has yet to begin taking U.S. pork. It recently reached agreement with Canada to take that country’s pork.
“We’re losing pork sales to Canada and the European Union,” explained Butler. “We need to get back into the Chinese market.” |
| 3/17/2010 |
|
|
|
|
