TRADE

Russia Agrees to Resume Imports of U.S. Poultry: Vice President Al Gore also said that Russia will shortly begin issuing new import licenses. Under the agreement, Russia formally recognized that the U.S. inspection system and American poultry itself are fully acceptable for the Russian market. The accord clarifies U.S. compliance with Russian requirements and puts in place bilateral practices for U.S. plant approval, including Russian spot checks of U.S. poultry plants. Russian authorities have reviewed 181 U.S. poultry processing and cold storage plants. The agreement allows resumption of U.S. poultry sales to Russia, which were valued last year at $605 million, up from $309.5 million in 1994.