US opens market to Lithuania meats
From 30 October, Lithuanian meat will become eligible for export to the US, provided they meet Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) animal health requirements. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Lithuania currently intends to export canned, dried, and smoked beef and pork products to the US.
EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan welcomed the announcement from the USDA.
“This further opening of the market to another EU member state is a welcome step and is the outcome of the enhanced technical work carried out between the European Union, Lithuania and the USDA. The proposal reflects the good cooperation between veterinary authorities across the Atlantic.
“This announcement comes at a time when farmers across the EU face particular difficulties. The Commission is relentlessly working to open up new markets and alleviate these problems by removing existing barriers and increasing export opportunities for European producers. The US decision is recognition of the robust, comprehensive and successful measures put in place by the EU to control animal diseases and ensure safe handling and processing of food from farm to fork.”
In a comment that could be interpreted as a reference to the Russian embargo on EU food imports, the commissioners added: “We call on our few remaining international trading partners to follow the US and eliminate all restrictive measures on imports of EU meat.”
