February 12, 2007

USDA drafting rules to allow China's poultry to be exported to US

Food safety watchdog groups are up in arms over USDA's proposed rule to allow China to export cooked poultry to the US.

Although the proposed rule has met with fierce opposition from food safety watchdogs, major meat companies are hoping that by opening the way for Chinese poultry imports, China would reciprocate by opening itself to US beef exports which it has banned in 2003 due to mad cow disease in the US.

USDA spokesman Steven Cohen said as cooking kills the virus, there would be no risk to public health for cooked poultry imported from China.

Although the proposed rules were mooted last year, the plan was shelved as bird flu, was rampant in many countries at that time.

Food safety advocates said they were shocked that the USDA was considering the move, given that the country has had 22 cases of bird flu since 2003.

So far, the National Chicken Council, has not voiced its concerns preferring to adopt a "wait-and-see" approach.