Russia | EU Expansion And Russian Ministry Reorganization Hinder Re...
Russia
EU Expansion And Russian Ministry Reorganization Hinder Resolution Of Issues
Preoccupation with the accession of ten new countries to the European Union (EU) and the restructuring of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture has limited the time allotted to resolving agricultural issues between the U.S. and Russia. The EU and Russian veterinary services worked hard to restructure import certificates prior to the May 1 expansion of the EU. It appears that earlier this week a resolution was reached — trade will continue past the May 1 deadline, and new certificates will be used from June 1.
The agreement between Russia and the EU allows for the free transit of goods between Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave and major port surrounded by Poland and Lithuania, and the remainder of Russia. Russia wanted assurances that products could move between its territories unencumbered. The overall issue of agricultural tariffs for Russian exports to the EU is still in question, and negotiators hope to finalize an agreement on agriculture in the very near future.
As with almost all Russian government agencies, the Ministry of Agriculture is going through reorganization and a reduction in funding. The new ministry structure should be completed by May 15, but a 20-percent cut in staff may hamper future activities. It now appears that Dr. Yevgeni Nepoklonov will remain as the Chief Veterinary Officer of Russia and report to Sergey Dankvert, head of the veterinary and phytosanitary services. Dankvert announced that Russia will introduce a unified veterinary certificate for all EU countries after May 1. All earlier agreed vet certificates with each European country will be automatically recalled, but much has to be decided, including the language or languages used on the certificate. If the EU does not approve the new document Russia will put it into force unilaterally, although an April 22 announcement by Russian and EU veterinary officials said the old certificates can be used until June 1.
Russia’s government will essentially be closed during the first two weeks of May. The Labor Day holiday (May 1-2) and the May 9 (Victory Day) holidays fall on a weekend this year so vacation days have been moved forward, and Russians will take the first two weeks of May as a long holiday. This will certainly delay decision-making by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Outstanding issues with Russia include the reopening of the market for U.S. beef and beef variety meats, final determination on the inspection approvals of various U.S. pork plants and review of the U.S. proposed changes on trichinae certification.
Dr. Ron DeHaven and Dr. J.B. Penn (USDA) have written to their counterparts in Russia informing them of actions taken in the U.S. to protect the domestic cattle herd following the single BSE case in Washington State. USMEF expects further engagement by the Russians on this issue after the May holidays.
Russia
EU Expansion And Russian Ministry Reorganization Hinder Resolution Of Issues
Preoccupation with the accession of ten new countries to the European Union (EU) and the restructuring of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture has limited the time allotted to resolving agricultural issues between the U.S. and Russia. The EU and Russian veterinary services worked hard to restructure import certificates prior to the May 1 expansion of the EU. It appears that earlier this week a resolution was reached — trade will continue past the May 1 deadline, and new certificates will be used from June 1.
The agreement between Russia and the EU allows for the free transit of goods between Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave and major port surrounded by Poland and Lithuania, and the remainder of Russia. Russia wanted assurances that products could move between its territories unencumbered. The overall issue of agricultural tariffs for Russian exports to the EU is still in question, and negotiators hope to finalize an agreement on agriculture in the very near future.
As with almost all Russian government agencies, the Ministry of Agriculture is going through reorganization and a reduction in funding. The new ministry structure should be completed by May 15, but a 20-percent cut in staff may hamper future activities. It now appears that Dr. Yevgeni Nepoklonov will remain as the Chief Veterinary Officer of Russia and report to Sergey Dankvert, head of the veterinary and phytosanitary services. Dankvert announced that Russia will introduce a unified veterinary certificate for all EU countries after May 1. All earlier agreed vet certificates with each European country will be automatically recalled, but much has to be decided, including the language or languages used on the certificate. If the EU does not approve the new document Russia will put it into force unilaterally, although an April 22 announcement by Russian and EU veterinary officials said the old certificates can be used until June 1.
Russia’s government will essentially be closed during the first two weeks of May. The Labor Day holiday (May 1-2) and the May 9 (Victory Day) holidays fall on a weekend this year so vacation days have been moved forward, and Russians will take the first two weeks of May as a long holiday. This will certainly delay decision-making by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Outstanding issues with Russia include the reopening of the market for U.S. beef and beef variety meats, final determination on the inspection approvals of various U.S. pork plants and review of the U.S. proposed changes on trichinae certification.
Dr. Ron DeHaven and Dr. J.B. Penn (USDA) have written to their counterparts in Russia informing them of actions taken in the U.S. to protect the domestic cattle herd following the single BSE case in Washington State. USMEF expects further engagement by the Russians on this issue after the May holidays.