On December 14, 2007, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) announced the distribution of 25 percent of the 2008 beef, pork, and poultry tariff rate quotas (TRQ).

The timing of the publication is in accordance with the Government of Russia’s Resolutions relating to the TRQ legislation. The complete list is available on MEDT’s website at www.economy.gov.ru in the following four documents:

1. List of participants in foreign trade and calculation of 25 percent of maximum import volumes of fresh and chilled beef (HCS 0201) in 2008 according to the data of the Federal Customs Service.
   
2. List of participants in foreign trade and calculation of 25 percent of maximum import volumes of frozen beef (HCS 0202) in 2008 according to the data of the Federal Customs Service.
   
3. List of participants in foreign trade and calculation of 25 percent of maximum import volumes of pork (HCS 0203) in 2008 according to the data of the FederalCustoms Service.
   
4. List of participants in foreign trade and calculation of 25 percent of maximum import volumes of poultry (HCS 0207) in 2008 according to the data of the Federal Customs Service.

The 25-percent allocations were based on January – September 2007 import data by individual companies, provided by the Federal Customs Service. The remaining 75-percent allocations will be based on full-year import data.

The total 2008 allocation for the United States for frozen beef is 18,300 tons, of which 25 percent (4,575 tons) has been allocated so far.

The 2008 U.S. allocation for pork is 49,800 tons, of which 25 percent (12,450 tons) has been allocated so far. The 2008 U.S. allocation for poultry is 901,400 tons, of which 25 percent (225,350 tons) has been allocated so far.

The remainder of the TRQ will be announced by March 1, 2008.