EU commission to recommend end to US chicken ban

The European Union's executive commission will recommend that member countries lift an 11-year ban on U.S. poultry imports that has cost American producers an estimated $180 million a year in lost sales.

EU Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said Tuesday a new scientific report did not support the ban.

"After having received the scientific opinion, which does not provide the basis for a continuation of the import ban, the (European Commission) will make the necessary proposal in order to lift the ban," Verheugen said.

Europeans have not been eating American chickens for 11 years due to a ban imposed after health concerns. The EU had objected to the American practice of washing chickens in a chlorine solution, saying it threatens public health and the environment.

Moves to lift the ban came after talks between EU and U.S. trade officials who pledged to fight trade barriers. Verheugen and Daniel Price, President Bush's economic adviser, said they would like to see the issue resolved by the next meeting of the Trans-Atlantic Economic Council in October.

But it was not certain whether EU member states would go along with the commission's recommendation, even though Verheugen claimed Tuesday to have the backing of most nations.

"I have already discussed the matter with ministers, at the highest level, and I can tell you that there is a strong support to solve the problem. I'm very optimistic," Verheugen said, calling the ban "an extremely sensitive issue."