Vilsack Reports Progress in Farm Trade Talks With Russia

The United States and Russia are close to resolving problems that have blocked U.S. pork exports to Russia, but the two sides remain at loggerheads regarding a similar problem with poultry, according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The United States and Russia are close to resolving problems that have blocked U.S. pork exports to Russia, but the two sides remain at loggerheads regarding a similar problem with poultry, according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Speaking at USDA's annual agricultural outlook forum, Vilsack also told the audience that he had no new information regarding China's move to impose antidumping duties on U.S. chicken products.

The secretary also used his speaking opportunity to urge Congress to reinstate the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax credit, calling it "an important credit" and "a support mechanism" for renewable fuels. The credit expired at the end of 2009. Farm groups –– especially soybean producers –– and their allies in Congress are seeking a revival retroactive to Jan. 1, but do not have a legislative vehicle for it.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk told the forum that the United States is seeking to resolve outstanding problems with the Colombian, Korean, and Panama free trade agreements in an effort to move those pacts forward at the "appropriate time." However, he did not provide a timeline for when the White House might submit the deals to Congress for a vote.

Emphasizing again the Obama administration's pledge to step up enforcement of existing trade agreements, Kirk said his office this spring will release a new report identifying what it will label as unjustified sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to trade and technical standards that keep U.S. farmers, ranchers, and other exporters from receiving the full benefits of trade.

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