USDA Opens Export Markets for Day-Old Chicks, Hatching Eggs and Dairy Cattle
US - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have announced recent results of the Agency's efforts to support exports of US agricultural products. APHIS' recent efforts are expected to help increase exports of US cattle, poultry products, and pears by over $85 million a year.
8 April 2013
2 minute read
Day-Old Chicks and Hatching Eggs to Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan
APHIS is announcing the opening of export markets to Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia for US day-old chicks and hatching eggs, increasing US exports by an estimated $25 million a year.
"This is a significant agreement for poultry exporters in the United States," said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. "For nearly 10 years, APHIS has pursued the opening of the Russian market to US day-old chicks and hatching eggs, and now we have also secured access for these products to Belarus and Kazakhstan."
In February, APHIS veterinary health personnel and their counterparts in Moscow developed the export documentation that APHIS will issue for products shipped to the three countries. In 2010, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus formed a Customs Union, and are currently working to harmonize import requirements for cattle and other live animals and livestock products.
The market access for poultry commodities represents the first of nearly 40 new agreements related to live animals and animal products that USDA will work to negotiate with the Customs Union.
Dairy Cattle to Iraq
Following direct negotiations with Iraqi animal health officials in February, APHIS officials reached agreement with their counterparts on export certification requirements for US dairy cattle shipments to that country.
"The Middle East is an important and emerging market for US cattle exporters," said Mr Vilsack.
The annual market value is projected to be more than $60 million. APHIS will work with exporters to ensure the exported cattle meet the terms of the agreement with Iraq.
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