Vilsack and Kirk Discuss Success in Russia, Ongoing Efforts to Reopen Other Markets

The United States and Russia reached an agreement earlier this month that reopened the Russian market to U.S. pork. This week - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack had some news on when U.S. pork might officially re-enter the Russian marketplace. Vilsack said that the US will likely see a renewal of pork to Russia within the next week as a result of the actions of the USTR’s office and the USDA in reopening that market after the H1N1.

USDA and USTR are still working to reopen the Russian market to U.S. poultry - the Chinese market to U.S. pork - and other Asian markets to beef. U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk.  Kirk said that the secretary and himself had both been to Russia and to China; that they have teams in Japan and continue to engage our friends in Taiwan.   The USTR’s office will work collaboratively with USDA to try open those markets back up to US beef, pork and poultry products.

Secretary Vilsack will actually head to Japan the first full week of April to promote U.S. agricultural exports. He says his mission is to push hard to open markets and bolster an open, rules-based international trading system that benefits consumers and U.S. farmers and ranchers.

Vilsack told reporters this week beef trade will be on the agenda, going on to say that our hope is to continue the dialogue that’s been continuing through the US Trade Representative’s Office and the USDA with the Japanese.  We’re looking forward to an opportunity to discuss how that market that’s been closed for a considerable amount of time can be reopened.

These efforts are all part of the National Export Initiative President Obama announced during his State of the Union Address.

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