Russia’s Agriculture Minister is moving forward with a decree to extend their embargo on imported foods including meat and chicken until the end of 2017. The current embargo, which includes the U.S., runs through August 5. Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association Executive Director Pete McClymont says the meat ban has been a problem for some time. He’s says that type of embargo backs up the U.S. meat supply and so all efforts need to be made to open that market.

He’s also hoping politics can be avoided in future trade discussions with Russia and U.S. trade officials can make headway in re-opening that market.

McClymont says Russia doesn’t have enough to feed its own people and is in need of the ag products the U.S. can provide.

Russia implemented their trade embargo in mid-2014 and extended it in retaliation for sanctions related to their conflict in Ukraine.