The news comes 11 years after Lithuania first requested an export agreement. A statement from the EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Andriukaitis, Trade Commissioner Malmström and Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Hogan welcomed the opening of the US market for imports of meat products from Lithuania.

"We welcome the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement that the US will open its market to exports of beef, pork, sheep and goat meat and derived products from Lithuania," reads the statement. "This further opening of the market to another EU Member State is a welcome step and is the outcome of the enhanced technical work carried out between the European Union, Lithuania and the United States department of Agriculture. The proposal reflects the good cooperation between veterinary authorities across the Atlantic."

The commissioners also called on the "few remaining international trading partners to follow the US and eliminate all restrictive measures on imports of EU meat."

Background

In 2004, the government of Lithuania initially requested approval to export meat, poultry, and egg products to the United States. In January 2012, Lithuania amended its request to include only meat and meat products. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) evaluated and inspected Lithuania’s inspection system to determine whether it is equivalent to the United States’ system. From that review, FSIS concluded that Lithuania’s laws, regulations, control programs, and procedures established in compliance with EU legislation were also sufficient to achieve the level of public health protection required by FSIS.