China-Trade problems with the USA.

UNITED SATES- TRADE WITH CHINA.

AMI and 53 other groups wrote to President Obama last week urging the Administration to oppose any provisions in appropriations bills that would prevent USDA from implementing regulations to permit inspection and importation of cooked poultry products from the People’s Republic of China .

"We agree that the U.S. government must effectively and safely regulate the quality of food products sold in this country," the letter said. "However, to maintain the effectiveness and integrity of the U.S. food safety system, such regulations must be based on sound science and an appropriate risk assessment," the April 30 letter said. "Laws and regulations must be crafted such that the U.S. does not ignore its international trade obligations – obligations that the U.S. government has helped to develop, and in particular to prevent other countries from adopting protectionist, non-science based measures against U.S. food and agriculture exports under the guide of food safety," the letter continued.

The groups told Obama that if there are concerns about the safety of cooked poultry from China – much of which are from poultry originating in the U.S. – these concerns should be addressed through proper regulatory channels, not an ad hoc legislative process.

The groups expressed particular concern about section 727 of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009.