August 31, 2007

Canada may allow chicken imports from China

Despite bird flu fears, safety issues and concerns over Newcastle disease, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been studying a Chinese request to re-examine a ban on poultry imports from China.

Any changes would likely be limited to cooked and canned poultry, said Bill Anderson, the director of the agency's meat programme. These products would also have to be clearly marked as a product of China, Anderson said.

The agency has completed a review of documents and is inspecting Chinese slaughterhouses, processing plants and laboratories.

However, there would not be on-farm visits.

Anderson said the top criteria for allowing meat imports from another country is a solid foundation for a meat inspection system backed by proper regulations.

The initial inspections would be followed up by periodic audits of production facilities and the entire process would likely take several months.

In Canada, almost all chicken comes from domestic supplies. China is also trying to get the US to approve chicken imports.