US Agriculture
Secretary Ann M. Veneman and Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Agriculture Alexei Gordeyev today signed a
Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in agriculture.
"This agreement recognizes the importance of the agricultural
relationship and partnership between the United States and
Russia," Veneman said. "It lays the groundwork for mutually
beneficial, cooperative activities in a number of areas."
These areas include:
- investment in agriculture;
- veterinary and phytosanitary activities;
- animal and plant genetics and biotechnology;
- joint agricultural research, extension and education;
- agricultural policy and development of rural areas; and
- sustainable agriculture development.
The two countries agreed to form three Working Groups to
facilitate and review cooperation under the MOU including:
Agricultural Policy, Agribusiness and Investment; Research,
Education and Extension; and Sustainable Agriculture and Rural
Development.
The Working Groups will be co-chaired by representatives of
USDA and the Russian Ministry of Agriculture and will meet
regularly throughout the year. In some cases, other interested
government agencies, private agribusiness and scientific
institutions from both countries may participate in the Working
Groups’ activities. Veneman and Gordeyev will meet annually in
Washington, D.C. and Moscow to review the progress.
Last year, two-way trade in agricultural, fish and forestry
products between the United States and Russia totaled $1
billion, primarily meat and seafood.