Weekly USMEF Audio Report: Intensive Efforts Continue toward Restoring Russian Market Access for U.S. Pork...

Jan. 4, 2010 - Over the past 14 months, Russia has been effectively closing its doors to U.S. pork by delisting nearly 30 processing plants. Paul Clayton, U.S. Meat Export Federation senior vice president for export services, explains that with only a handful of small U.S. facilities still eligible to export to Russia, the situation is every bit as damaging as a full market closure. Clayton says USMEF is working with pork industry organizations and several agencies of the U.S. government to restore access to Russia for U.S. pork, and that the issue is considered a top priority by all parties involved. Through October 2009, U.S. pork exports to Russia declined by more than 40 percent compared to the same period in 2008, due in part to limited market access.

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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.

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