December 16, 2010

US Senate bill to limit entry of China poultry

The US will restrict the entry of poultry products from China as part of a Senate spending bill assembled by US and Chinese officials who are meeting to resolve trade disputes.

The language was similar to restrictions adopted a year ago. Senators were expected to vote on the spending bill. It would fund many federal activities for the fiscal year 2011 which opened on October 1.

China had challenged earlier, against stronger US limitations before the World Trade Organization. A WTO dispute panel said that those measures had broken international trade rules.

Under the Senate bill, the Agriculture Department could not approve imports of processed poultry or poultry products from China unless several steps are taken, including a plan for stepped-up inspection of the imports.

The USDA also would be required to inspect Chinese slaughter and processing plants before certifying them eligible for export poultry. Also, the USDA will plan annual inspections of the facilities, and set up a system to share information with other nations that import processed poultry from China.

Trade officials were scheduled to conclude annual US-Chinese consultations in Washington. US poultry companies said that China had placed unfairly high tariffs, ranging from 50.3%-105.4%, on imports of US poultry, hitting companies such as Tyson Foods, Pilgrim's Pride, and Sanderson Farms.

Congressional staff workers say the latest language was suggested by the House although it appeared in a Senate bill. Rosa DeLauro, who chairs a House Appropriations subcommittee, has said the large-scale food recalls involving Chinese products made strong rules imperative.