December 23, 2003

US Investigates Suspected Dumping of Canadian Kosher Chicken

Following complaints by U.S. company, Empire Kosher Poultry Inc, the U.S. International Trade Commission has begun a preliminary investigation into whether imports of kosher chicken from Canada are infringing antidumping laws.

Empire Kosher believes that two Canadian poultry companies have sold in the U.S. kosher whole and cut-up chicken, legs, thighs, drumsticks and breasts (bone-in and boneless) at prices that are 20 - 30 % less than comparable wholesale prices in Canada, according to a report by the National Chicken Council.

Although the alleged dumping of kosher chicken onto the U.S. market has reportedly occurred for years, Empire Kosher has indicated that the petition focuses primarily on the situation during the past 12 months, NCC said.

The trade commission is acting under the Tariff Act of 1930 to determine whether there is a reasonable indication that an industry in the U.S. is materially injured or threatened with material injury, or the establishment of an industry in the U.S. in materially retarded by the alleged dumping.

Unless the U.S. Department of Commerce extends the time for the investigation, the trade commission must reach a preliminary determination in antidumping investigations in 45 days, which would be Jan. 15 in this case.

The commission's Director of Operations scheduled a conference in connection with this investigation yesterday at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building in Washington, D.C.