U.S.-China Chicken War

Excerpt from Xinhua article, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/13/content_11002317.htm

GENEVA, March 12 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday blasted a U.S. measure blocking Chinese poultry imports, saying the "clearly discriminative measure" can serve as a good example for the WTO's training courses.
The U.S. measure, or Section 727, is contained in the Omnibus Appropriation Act of 2009, which was approved by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. It bans any funds from being used to "establish or implement a rule" allowing imports of poultry products from China.

Also:

China imported 580,000 tons of chicken products from the United States last year, accounting for 73.4 percent of total chicken imports, according to figures from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
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The Chinese are understandably irked by U.S. blocking of their exporting chicken to us. American poultry companies aren't too happy about it either. Tyson had been trying to get our government to pass legislation which would prohibit country of origin labeling on chicken products. Tyson is partnering with Jiangsu Jinghai Poultry Industry Group Co. Ltd., to raise, process and sell chickens. The new processing plant could turn out up to one million chickens per week.

The reason the U.S. is hesitating is that chickens in China are still, for the most part, raised by peasant farmers and the quality control is spotty at best. The Chinese also have to deal with the environmental problems created by its 1.3 Billion citizens. Many Americans would prefer to purchase chicken produced here as it is much safer than Chinese poultry. This is also why Tyson would prefer not to have the country of origin label on Chinese chicken. (Ya gotta love Tyson. Their commercials tout the wholesomeness of their chicken and how kids love it, but the reality is Tyson does not give a rats ass about child safety if they want to import Chinese chicken and then hide where it came from)

As the above article states, China imported 580,000 tons of U.S. chicken. Obviously China would like a bit more balance in the chicken trade. Until the safety of their chicken can be better assured, we should not import it despite any animosity this may create. We have not yet forgotten the recent food safety issues dealing with melamine tainted milk and baby formula, dog food, toothpaste and candy. Non-food issues include lead paint in toys and sulphur laden drywall, which can damage AC and electrical systems, copper plumbing and can cause health problems. Bottom line....safety first, politics second.

Update: The Country of Origin labeling law did pass and is now in effect. While at the store, be sure to check the label.