Some content may be unavailable in English. Instead it is provided in Lithuanian.

Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius: Lithuania negotiates wheat and egg exports to US

2016-06-10

On Friday, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius has met with United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Michael Scuse, to discuss cooperation, including agricultural and food trade, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Agreement between the European Union and the United States and its future benefits, broader economic issues and business opportunities in Lithuania.

“The US is our priority market and an important trade partner. We are very much interested for our companies to set foot in the US market. Today, we have discussed trade in dairy and meat products, as well as export permits for wheat and egg products”, said the Prime Minister. A visit in this regard of the US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in Lithuania is expected any time soon.

Lithuanian agriculture and food exports to the US amounted to 46 million euros in 2015. There has been significant growth in export volumes: in 2014 – 62 per cent, in 2015 – 50.2 per cent. In November last year, permits for meat exports to the United States were granted to 9 Lithuanian companies, which are currently working to set foot in the market.

The interlocutors have also taken up broader economic and trade issues.
 
“Lithuanian exports to the United States is currently threefold compared to Russia. The signature of the TTIP and removed barriers would bring more benefits for our exporters”, says the Head of Government. The TTIP agreement has a particular relevance not only for Lithuanian agricultural and food exports, but also for other sectors of business services, including machinery and equipment, electronic and optical devices, information and communication technology and finances.

The Prime Minister has noted Lithuania’s approval of European Commission’s attitude as to the completion of the preparations for the negotiations by the end of 2016, however, this agreement must be comprehensive and mutually beneficial, and it has to take into account the common interests of the EU.

LRVK

Norint naudoti pateiktą informaciją rekomenduojame susisiekti su žinutės autoriumi.