A bipartisan group of 37 senators are calling for the swift reopening of the Chinese market after U.S. exports of chicken and turkey were banned in 2015.
China implemented the ban on turkeys and chickens from the U.S. in 2015 due to highly pathogenic avian flu in a wild duck, and the ban continues to be enforced today.
The group recently wrote to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.
“Poultry is produced in almost every state. For communities and sates that rely on thriving and growing poultry industry, these agreements are essential to a strong and vibrant future,” the senators’ letter to Perdue said.
Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) authored the letter. The groups argue the ban contradicts World Health Organization for Animal Health standards.
According to Feedstuffs, the U.S. is the largest poultry producer in the world and the second-largest poultry meat exporter, with nearly 18 percent of total product shipped to foreign markets. At its peak, the value of poultry exports from the U.S. to China was $71 million for turkey and $722 million for chicken.
The National Turkey Federation (NTF), National Chicken Council (NCC) and the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council have expressed their appreciation and support.
“It is critical that we continue to develop an open trading relationship with the Chinese,” the NTF and NCC said in a joint statement. “The Senate’s strong statement on behalf of American poultry producers makes clear balance and fairness must exist for a two-way open market with China.”
The senators are encouraged that China has begun its animal health audit of the U.S. poultry industry. Once the audit is complete, they are urging the USDA to “remain diligent in seeking final Chinese approval for U.S. poultry’s first successful shipment as quickly as possible.”
The senators said they would like to see the ban lifted by the Chinese New Year celebrations.