US is seeking to sell more grain to Soviets

April 28, 1981

The United States will seek to increase the amount of wheat sold to the Soviet Union under a grain deal to be negotiated between the two countries, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Richard Lyng said. The two countries opened talks on possible new grain sales Friday immediately after President Reagan lifted the grain embargo.

Department officials said later negotiations might resume this week. The current five-year grain pact with the Soviet Union, due to expire Sept. 30, provides for minimum sales of 6 million tons a year.

In addition, the Soviet Union conceded Monday it is not producing enough meat , admitting the economy was hard hit by the 15-mon th US grain embargo.