January 11, 2012

US congressmen urge for opening poultry exports to India

A bipartisan group of senators, led by US Senators, Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), have petitioned to US Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, to settle poultry export issues in future meetings with India's senior leadership.

Trade policies in India have not conformed to the scientifically-based World Organization for Animal Health's standards on avian influenza (AI) since 2006, stated the January 6 edition of the National Chicken Council's (NCC) Washington Report. Meanwhile, American poultry producers are abiding by these globally recognised food production standards.

"Despite the US' track record on avian influenza and the very effective measures in place for avian influenza, India continues to use this non-scientifically-based position to prohibit US poultry to access the Indian market," the petition states. "With two of the US' top poultry markets having been severely disrupted in the past three years, it is especially important that efforts be undertaken to replace them."

The National Chicken Council estimates US poultry exports to India could exceed US$300 million annually if appropriate, fair market access is provided in accordance with India's obligations as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the petition adds.

"We respectfully request that during your upcoming discussions with the government of India, you strongly explain the important biosecurity measures that have been implemented in the US and that the continued use of non-scientifically-based measures to prevent trade is unacceptable," the petition continues.

Senators signing the petition includes Coons and Isakson, as well as Thomas Carper (D-DE), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), Daniel Coats (R-Ind.), Joe Manchin III (D-WV), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Jim Webb (D-Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Kay Hagan (D-NC), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), John Rockefeller, IV (D-WV), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.).