Senators push for ways to increase pork exports to Russia

The Grassley-Nelson led letter outlines two major barriers from Russia to U.S. pork, that have resulted in a “drastic decline” in the amount of U.S. pork being exported to Russia. 

Those changes include Russia’s unilateral lowering of the amount of U.S. pork it allows to be imported, cutting the previously agreed-upon amount by about half. Another issue is Russia’s use of sanitary restrictions to limit U.S. pork exports. 

“The Russian restrictions are not supported by science or valid risk assessments,” the letter said. 

“We believe U.S. producers are more than meeting requisite protections.” 

The United States was able to obtain commitments from China and Vietnam to overcome similar obstacles as part of those countries’ moves to join the WTO, the letter said. 

The letter called the pork industry a “vital cog” in the U.S. agricultural economy and is signed by the Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Agriculture ranking member Pat Robert (R-Kansas) along with Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.). 

Grassley hand-delivered a letter to top Russian officials on a trip to Russia last month asking for the necessary changes to return to 2008 levels of U.S. pork exports into Russia.