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Vice president José Alencar reports that he has had discussions with Russian prime minister, Mikhail Fradkov, on the use of tariffs instead of quota systems because that would be more in keeping with World Trade Organization norms. Alencar says the response was "positive."
"If they want to join the WTO, they have to respect the norms. Brazil complies with WTO norms and does not subsidize anything. We are really very competitive," he declared, adding that a tariff system would permit Brazil to obtain a bigger market share in Russia.
The present quota system favors European and American exporters, he explained.
Alencar's main purpose on his visit was to deal with an embargo on imports of Brazilian meat. However, the Russians have decided to maintain it, saying they need more time to examine the problem.
Alencar points out that the problem is that the Russians imposed the embargo because of a case of foot and mouth disease in the Amazon region which does not export beef.
The vice president gave the Russians a three-hundred page report on sanitary norms and procedures in Brazil to help clear up the problem.
Today Alencar is in Saint Petersburg for a business seminar.
Agência Brasil
Translator: Allen Bennett
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