Grassley's letter follows here.
March 5, 2002
The Honorable Yuri V. Ushakov
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
Russian Federation to the United States
2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20007
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
I am writing to express my very strong concern about Russia's ban on United States poultry imports, which your government instituted by an order dated February 28. Specifically, I have three concerns about this unjustified ban.
First, even though Russia established a March 1 deadline for the United States to provide additional information requested by the Russian Veterinary Service, and the requested information was submitted by the United States to the Russian embassy in Washington on February 28, and to the Russian Veterinary Service on March 1, I understand the decision to impose the ban had already been made on February 28. Instituting an import ban prior to the established deadline is unfair, and contrary to the comity that should govern our bilateral trade relations.
Second, I am concerned about the unwarranted severity of the Russian government's action in this case. There is no question that the United States complied fully and in good faith with the request of your government, within the time that was provided. Complete, good faith compliance should never warrant such a drastic action.
Third, I understand that although the ban will take effect as of March 10, the Russian Veterinary Service nevertheless will not issue any new import licenses effective immediately. I fail to understand why all poultry exports must cease prior to the effective date of the import ban.
Our two countries have worked effectively together in the past to resolve difficult bilateral trade issues. I sincerely hope that we can quickly resolve this issue, before it affects other important bilateral concerns.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Grassley