U.S., Russia complete poultry trade deal
Poultry products produced in the United States will continue to be sold in Russia, under a trade agreement completed Friday by officials of both countries.
Both countries reached an agreement on a new veterinary certificate that will allow for the continuation of U.S. poultry exports to Russia. The deal also addresses technical issues such as testing requirements and procedures, inspection guidelines and process, hygienic requirements, and document and procedure.
Exports had been allowed for the past five months while negotiations took place, but officials with the U.S. trade representative's office had feared Russia might cut off imports of the chickens.
"The resumption of U.S. poultry shipments to Russia is good news for both the U.S. industry and Russian consumers," said Trade Representative Robert Zoellick. "We will continue to work with Russian officials to ensure rapid and effective implementation of this agreement."
Russia is the largest market for U.S. poultry exports. Sales during 2001 totaled 1.07 million tons of poultry valued at $630 million.
But in March, Russian officials imposed a ban on U.S. poultry, saying it feared that the types of drugs used on the birds to improve their growth could also have negative effects on human health.
That ban was lifted in April, and talks between the two countries have been ongoing since, as U.S. officials have tried to persuade Russia that there are no negative health effects to be caused by U.S. poultry. Some U.S. officials had speculated that the poultry ban was retaliation by Russia for trade policies related to steel and other areas not related to agriculture.
For now, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman downplayed past problems, saying she hopes the issue is resolved.
"The Russian market is extremely important to the economic viability of the U.S. poultry industry," Veneman said. "Beyond this, we look forward to strengthening our cooperative relationship with Russia and to working together in many other important areas affecting our food and agriculture sectors."
Pleased with the deal were various trade organizations that represent aspects of the U.S. poultry industry, such as the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council and the National Turkey Federation.
"American chicken companies will move immediately to implement the agreement and rebuild the trade, which has been subject to cutoffs and regulatory uncertainty for the past six months," said George Watts of the National Chicken Council.
Drought-bison:
The National Bison Association thinks that the U.S. government should expand its emergency feed assistance program to include buffalo ranchers in regions affected by drought.
Association Director Dave Carter sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, saying bison ranchers are suffering the same problems due to hot, dry weather conditions as other types of livestock ranchers.
"In fact, bison ranchers face additional difficulties because of the unique nature of our industry," Carter wrote. "The fencing required for bison ... severely limits the opportunity to move animals to pasture land that may be available in other regions of the country."
Under the emergency feed assistance program, the Agriculture Department is allowing for up to $150 million in additional feed to be given to ranchers to help keep their livestock fed and thriving. But current guidelines do not include bison among the types of livestock covered by the program.
Biodiesel:
The ski resort in Breckenridge, Colo., plans to use motor fuel made from soybeans to run its diesel-powered fleet of vehicles.
Officials said the motor fuel made from a blend of 20 percent soy and 80 percent petroleum diesel would help their high-altitude community minimize air pollution. The town sits at 9,600 feet above sea level.
Town officials tested use of the fuel during the summer in municipal and ski resort diesel vehicles. The town uses about 1,500 gallons of soy biodiesel each month, and plans to increase its usage to 5,000 gallons per month this winter.
Blackberries:
Last year's unusually warm winter in the Midwest is being blamed for a record growing season this year for blackberry growers in Ohio.
Ohio State University horticulturist Dick Funt said berry growers reported their best yields in 40 years of eastern thornless blackberries. Yields are exceeding previous years by as much as 110 percent. "There are more berries than leaf surface, berries breaking out on the lower parts of the stem, the likes of which we have never seen," Funt said. Blackberry production is expected to continue until about Labor Day.
Officials say that weather data shows the fact that average daily winter temperatures remained above zero degrees Fahrenheit between Dec. 15, 2001, and Jan. 15, 2002, helped increase the size of the crop.
Grains:
Grain futures were higher at the close Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans, corn and wheat rose on beliefs recent losses following wet, damp weather were overdone.
The prices:
Soybeans: Sep 5.52 up 4, Nov 5.40 1/2 up 2 3/4, Jan 5.43 1/4 up 2 1/4, Mar 5.44 1/2 up 3 1/4.
Corn: Sep 2.62 1/2 up 2, Dec 2.73 1/2 up 2, Mar 2.79 1/4 up 1 3/4, May 2.80 1/2 up 1 1/2.
Wheat: Sep 3.47 3/4 up 7 1/2, Dec 3.59 up 8, Mar 3.65 1/2 up 7, May 3.61 1/2 up 7 1/2.
Oats: Sep 1.80 3/4 up 1/2, Dec 1.82 1/2 up 2 1/4, Mar 1.80 up 2 1/2, May 1.79 up 2.
