The 2012 trade restriction between Russia and Mexico may soon be lifted. Enrique Sánchez Cruz, director of the Mexican veterinary institute Senasica, has announced this. This gives Mexico the opportunity to export between 200.000 and 400.000 tons of meat to Russia.
Cruz says Russia and Mexico have signed a trade agreement. Russia will import meat from Mexico, while Mexico will import grain from Russia. According to Cruz, this should not be seen as barter, because there is payment for the products that are imported and exported. The countries will, however, give each other significant discounts on the products, Cruz said.
The trade restriction was set up in 2012 by the veterinary institute Rosselkhoznador from Russia. The restriction passed for meat from Mexico, Brazil, Canada and America. The meat that Russia imported from those countries had become contaminated with the growth hormone ractopamine.
The trade restriction had a significant impact on Mexican exports. Before the trade restriction, the country still exported 149.800 tons of meat to Russia. In 2013, this number had fallen to 122.500 tons of meat. Mexican Agriculture Minister Rovirosa therefore decided to meet with Russian Agriculture Minister Tkachev in April 2016.
The conversation seems to have had an effect† In January 2017, Tkachev indicated at a press conference that trade between Russia and Mexico has increased by more than 2016 percent in 50 to USD 148,5 million compared to 2015. At the same press conference, Tkachev indicated that Russia to continue trade with Mexico.
In February 2017, Russia launched a new trade ban. From that moment on, Russia no longer accepts meat from New Zealand and Belarus. Ractopamine is also said to have been found in the meat from New Zealand. The meat from Belarus is refused, because the imported products were resold and were found to be contaminated.
So far, Rosselkhoznador has not responded to Cruz's statements. Since Mexico still uses the growth hormone, it is impossible to guarantee free trade, according to the Russian authority.
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