ST. LOUIS (Feb. 19, 2016) – The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to find a solution to technical issues affecting exports to Russia. This effort is in response to the disappointing official notification received on February 15, 2016 by the U.S. government of a temporary restriction of imports to the Russian Federation due to alleged violations of national and international phytosanitary requirements on previous shipments.
According to the USDA APHIS, Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (VPSS) has stated that U.S. soybean and corn shipments being loaded prior to February 15 may enter Russia, but will be subject to more intensive inspection. Russia has yet to specify those additional restrictions, which will be placed on shipments loaded thereafter, but prohibition of entry is likely.
“The USSEC Team in Russia and the U.S. is working with APHIS/USDA to endeavor to find a solution to these issues,” stated USSEC CEO Jim Sutter. “We will continue to work collaboratively with VPSS in an effort to lift the temporary prohibition on imports.”
Sutter continues, “In the 2014/15 marketing year, Russia imported 267 thousand metric tons (TMT) of U.S. Soy worth nearly $111 million dollars. With 426 thousand metric tons of U.S. soy exports already reaching Russia since October 1, 2015, we continue to see potential in the market.”
About USSEC
The U.S. Soybean Export Council connects U.S. soybean farmers with opportunities to improve human nutrition, livestock production and aquaculture. This mission is accomplished with a science-based technical foundation and a global network of partnerships including soybean farmers, exporters, agribusiness and agricultural organizations, researchers and government agencies. USSEC programs are partially funded by the United Soybean Board (USB).
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