April 5, 2010

US works at removing barriers to meat exports

US Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk had submitted to Congress the National Trade Estimate, along with two reports outlining key sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) barriers that US agricultural and food producers currently face.

Following a collaborative effort by USTR, USDA and other official bodies to demonstrate the safety of US pork, nearly all countries have lifted bans they imposed on US pork on fears of H1N1, Jane Doherty, USTR's director of sanitary and phytosanitary affairs said.

"This report shows what we've accomplished and what we are going to do going forward," Doherty told reporters.

Other barriers Washington continues to battle include: avian influenza, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, pathogens and ractopamine, as listed below.

Avian influenza: Avian influenza bans on US poultry "appear to be inconsistent with science and the relevant guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)," USTR said in a fact sheet. Over the past two years, 36 countries have lifted such bans and Washington continues to eliminate other existing Avian influenza bans.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE): Almost 30 countries impose BSE-related restrictions that do not meet OIE standards on US live cattle and beef products. "Restoring full access for US beef and beef products is a priority of the US government," USTR states.

Pathogens: Many trading partners have implemented "unreasonable" standards for salmonella and other pathogens on imported US poultry products.

Ractopamine: Despite scientific evidence supporting the safety of this drug, many important trading partners continue to ban US pork containing residues of ractopamine.