|
Senate bill would remove obstacle to normalized trade with Russia
Story Date: 6/13/2012
| |
Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 6/12/12
Four senators have proposed a bill that would establish permanent normalized trade relations (PNTR) with Russia by revoking the 1974 Jackson Jackson-Vanik amendment that stipulates free emigration policies before PNTR is granted.
The bipartisan group includes Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and John Thune (R-S.D.).
"This is an opportunity to double our exports to Russia and create thousands of jobs across every sector of the economy, all at no cost to the U.S. whatsoever," Baucus said in a statement.
The move was applauded by the National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.
Members of the World Trade Organization formally approved late last year Russia’s terms for membership in the organization but for U.S. companies to benefit from Russia’s accession, Jackson-Vanik must be repealed. Since 1994, the United States has certified annually that Russia complies with the amendment’s provisions and has conferred normal trade relations (NTR) status.
“As Russia enters into the WTO later this summer, PNTR will ensure that poultry companies can take full advantage of new business opportunities, that Russia’s commitments entering the WTO are enforced and that American businesses are on an equal playing field in the Russian market,” the groups said in a joint statement.
Russia is currently the third-largest export market for U.S. broiler meat and is the 10th-largest export market for U.S. turkey.
For more stories, go to http://www.meatingplace.com/.
|
|
|
|
