US Senate bill would limit entry of China poultry

The United States would restrict entry of poultry products from China as part of a Senate spending bill assembled at the same time U.S. and Chinese officials met to resolve trade disputes.

The language was similar to restrictions adopted a year ago. Senators were expected to vote on the spending bill. It would fund many federal activities for fiscal 2011 which opened on Oct 1.

China challenged earlier, stronger U.S. limitations before the World Trade Organization. A WTO dispute panel said this fall those measures broke international trade rules.

Under the Senate bill, the Agriculture Department could not approve imports of processed poultry or poultry products from China unless several steps are taken, including a plan for stepped-up inspection of the imports.

USDA also would be required to inspect Chinese slaughter and processing plants before certifying them eligible to export poultry, plan annual inspections of the facilities, and set up a system to share information with other nations that import processed poultry from China.

Trade officials were scheduled to conclude annual U.S.-Chinese consultations in Washington.U.S. poultry companies say China has placed unfairly high tariffs, ranging from 50.3 percent to 105.4 percent, on imports of American poultry, hitting companies such as Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride and Sanderson Farms.

Congressional staff workers say the latest language was suggested by the House although it appeared in a Senate bill. Rosa DeLauro, who chairs a House Appropriations subcommittee, has said the large-scale food recalls involving Chinese products made strong rules imperative.