August 6, 2007

EU may accept US poultry imports again
 

The EU may accept US poultry imports again as the European Commission is in the process of drafting legislation allowing four different types of antibiotic treatments in poultry processing, an EU official said.

Since 1997, the EU has banned US poultry, many of which are processed with chlorine, as the bloc's existing legislation prohibits the use of antibiotics in poultry processing. US chicken and turkey exports to Europe were worth US$35 million and US$15 million a year respectively before the ban.

Should the new legislation be passed, EU poultry processors would also be allowed to use these products, the official said.

Jim Sumner, President of the US Poultry and Egg Export Council, said some American companies are already using alternative treatments, such as chlorine dioxide, and are expected to use more alternatives to chlorine should the EU grant them approval.

However, there are no indications of when the European Commission will complete its drafting as no deadlines have been set, according to the EU official.

While USDA regulations do not demand anti-microbial treatment in poultry processing, many processors have felt inclined to use such a method without which they would be unable to meet USDA pathogen standards.

Even if the new legislation is passed, US poultry shipments to Europe are not expected to reach pre-ban levels immediately, and EU tariffs and other trade barriers might limit imports of low-priced poultry, analysts said.