P. Scott Shearer, Vice President

June 18, 2012

1 Min Read
Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia

Legislation was introduced by Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), John Thune (R-SD), John Kerry (D-MA) and John McCain (R-AZ) in the Senate to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia.   The bill would repeal the 1974 Jackson-Vanik amendment, which was in response to the Soviet Union’s policy of preventing the emigration of Jewish people and prisoners of conscience.  Late last year, the World Trade Organization (WTO) approved Russia’s membership. For the United States to benefit from Russia’s accession, the Jackson-Vanik amendment must be repealed.  The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) said Russia’s membership into the WTO would provide commercial opportunities for U.S. agriculture.  “U.S. farmers will have more certain and predictable market access as a result of Russia’s commitment not to raise tariffs on any products above the negotiated rates and to apply international food safety standards in a uniform and transparent manner,” according to AFBF.  However, there still remain concerns within the livestock sector of Russia bringing its practices into compliance with WTO sanitary and phytosanitary standards as it relates to meat imports from the United States.

About the Author(s)

P. Scott Shearer

Vice President, Bockorny Group, Inc.

Scott Shearer is vice president of the Bockorny Group Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C. With more than 30 years experience in government and corporate relations in state and national arenas, he is recognized as a leader in agricultural trade issues, having served as co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority. Scott was instrumental in the passage of China Permanent Normal Trade Relations and TPA. He is past chairman of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products and was a member of the USAID Food Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Bockorny Group, Scott served as director of national relations for Farmland Industries Inc., as well as USDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (1993-96), serving as liaison for the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to Congress.

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