US wants meat cerificates before signing WTO protocol
RUSSIA - The U.S. has demanded that Russia issues a certificate for U.S. beef and pork supplies before the U.S. signs a protocol on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Russia's Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref told a news conference on Saturday during the summit of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations, ITAR-TASS reported.
18 July 2006
2 minute read
The U.S. has suggested that Russia should issue the certificate without checking the U.S.’ methods of freezing meat, Gref said.
However, under international law Russia is entitled to such an inspection and the Russian government would prefer to carry it out, which would take three months, Gref said.
Meanwhile, Gref said that Russia and the U.S. have managed to agree on intellectual property protection and access to Russia's financial market. These issues will no longer be raised at further talks on Russia's accession to the WTO between Russia and the U.S., Gref said.
Source: Prime - Tass
