Russia
Russia
Meat Trade Agreement Signed With Russia
An agreement signed with Russia today (June 15) regulates meat trade with Russia from now until the end of 2009. The agreement confirms the existing tariff rate quota (TRQ) system and allocates U.S. beef exports 17,700 metric tons out of a 2005 import quota of 430,000 metric tons and U.S. pork exports 53,800 metric tons out of 467,400 metric tons. U.S. beef exports to Russia within the TRQ will pay a 15 percent duty. Out-of-tariff beef exports will pay 60 percent. For pork, in-tariff shipments will pay 15 percent, but out-of-tariff product will pay 80 percent.
USMEF is trying to confirm that variety meat is not counted toward the TRQ volume.
The agreement, which came into force today and runs through December 31, 2009, calls for a transparent system of importing and inspection. High-quality beef is not included in the TRQ. Tariffs will be levied on high quality beef (HS0201 and HS0202) at the rate levied prior to April 2003.
Other points in the agreement:
- The Russian government may impose a safeguard on either beef or pork after an investigation but only based on imports from January 2005 through December 2007. If safeguard duties were applied, they would only be imposed on product in excess of the quota.
- A provision of the agreement forbids the Russian government from insisting that certain products be re-exported from Russia, if they’re imported in-quota.
- U.S. and Russian representatives will hold consultations at least twice a year on facilitating trade.
- The U.S. and Russia will continue to work to address concerns related to sanitary and phytosanitary issues, including:
(a) Resolution of all plant inspection issues for poultry, beef, and pork from the United States;
(b) Possible recognition of U.S. standards and procedures for preventing trichinae in pork; and
(c) The ban on imported ground beef from the United States.
A USTR press release and a copy of the agreement can be read online.
Russia
Meat Trade Agreement Signed With Russia
An agreement signed with Russia today (June 15) regulates meat trade with Russia from now until the end of 2009. The agreement confirms the existing tariff rate quota (TRQ) system and allocates U.S. beef exports 17,700 metric tons out of a 2005 import quota of 430,000 metric tons and U.S. pork exports 53,800 metric tons out of 467,400 metric tons. U.S. beef exports to Russia within the TRQ will pay a 15 percent duty. Out-of-tariff beef exports will pay 60 percent. For pork, in-tariff shipments will pay 15 percent, but out-of-tariff product will pay 80 percent.
USMEF is trying to confirm that variety meat is not counted toward the TRQ volume.
The agreement, which came into force today and runs through December 31, 2009, calls for a transparent system of importing and inspection. High-quality beef is not included in the TRQ. Tariffs will be levied on high quality beef (HS0201 and HS0202) at the rate levied prior to April 2003.
Other points in the agreement:
- The Russian government may impose a safeguard on either beef or pork after an investigation but only based on imports from January 2005 through December 2007. If safeguard duties were applied, they would only be imposed on product in excess of the quota.
- A provision of the agreement forbids the Russian government from insisting that certain products be re-exported from Russia, if they’re imported in-quota.
- U.S. and Russian representatives will hold consultations at least twice a year on facilitating trade.
- The U.S. and Russia will continue to work to address concerns related to sanitary and phytosanitary issues, including:
(a) Resolution of all plant inspection issues for poultry, beef, and pork from the United States;
(b) Possible recognition of U.S. standards and procedures for preventing trichinae in pork; and
(c) The ban on imported ground beef from the United States.
A USTR press release and a copy of the agreement can be read online.