USTR investigating reports on China poultry bans

The US Trade Representative (USTR) and the USDA are looking into reports that claimed China will stop issuing import permits for US chickens, a spokeswoman for the USTR said.

 

US industry representatives said earlier this week that Chinese officials have told American poultry producers that they will stop issuing import permits for US poultry.

 

Chen Jian, a vice commerce minister, denied on Thursday (Jul 2) that China was blocking imports of US chickens, saying the reports were untrue.

 

The USDA and USTR are concerned about the reports, said USTR spokeswoman Debbie Mesloh.

 

China is a large market for US chickens. In the first half of 2009, China bought about US$372 million worth of US chickens, according to the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council.

 

The group said the move is retaliation for the US' decision to stop imports of Chinese chickens.