USDA to propose rule allowing imports of chicken raised, processed in China

According to multiple sources, the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is set to publish on Friday a proposed amendment to a rule that will allow China to export poultry products to the U.S. from birds slaughtered in China, a move the U.S. committed to as part of the 100-day plan the Trump administration reached with China.

[Jack Caporal] June 14th, 2017 [Inside Trade]

One consumer advocate noted that the timing of the FSIS rule comes days after the U.S. and China hammered out a deal to allow U.S. beef to be exported to China for the first time in over a decade. China and the U.S. have historically linked access to each other’s beef and poultry markets, sources say.

Under the initial outcomes of the 100-day plan, the U.S. committed to publishing the proposed rule to allow the import of China-origin cooked poultry by July 16 and China pledged to strike a deal with the U.S. to allow U.S. beef into its markets by that date as well.

In 2016 following a review of China’s poultry slaughter inspection system, USDA determined it to be equivalent to U.S. standards — although food safety advocates and a number of members of Congress vehemently disagree with that conclusion.

The consumer advocate source said there will be a comment period on the rule and that USDA is likely to receive a mountain of notes opposing the rule. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) in April sought to prohibit funding for the implementation of the rule FSIS will propose.

Read more at Inside Trade

MADE IN AMERICA.

CPA is the leading national, bipartisan organization exclusively representing domestic producers and workers across many industries and sectors of the U.S. economy.

The latest CPA news and updates, delivered every Friday.

WATCH: WE ARE CPA

Get the latest in CPA news, industry analysis, opinion, and updates from Team CPA.