Poultry from China

[Sandhusker]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Agriculture Department is seeking to allow shipments of processed poultry from China, where thousands of birds and several people have died from bird flu.

Critics are urging the department to drop the proposal. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa said today that the United States cannot afford to take chances with countries where the virulent bird flu strain was present.

Harkin acknowledged there are safeguards in the plan - the United States would not accept Chinese chickens; China would have to process poultry slaughtered in the United States or other countries from which the U.S. accepts poultry.

But the department has a poor record on inspections, Harkin said.

"We know that USDA's foreign food inspections have had problems in the past, and with so many unanswered questions, it is not wise to allow processed poultry imports from China at this time," said Harkin, the senior Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee. "I am concerned the administration is neglecting the substantial public health and economic risks to the United States, which USDA itself acknowledges but fails to address."

 

[ocm]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Agriculture Department is seeking to allow shipments of processed poultry from China, where thousands of birds and several people have died from bird flu.

Critics are urging the department to drop the proposal. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa said today that the United States cannot afford to take chances with countries where the virulent bird flu strain was present.

Harkin acknowledged there are safeguards in the plan - the United States would not accept Chinese chickens; China would have to process poultry slaughtered in the United States or other countries from which the U.S. accepts poultry.

But the department has a poor record on inspections, Harkin said.

"We know that USDA's foreign food inspections have had problems in the past, and with so many unanswered questions, it is not wise to allow processed poultry imports from China at this time," said Harkin, the senior Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee. "I am concerned the administration is neglecting the substantial public health and economic risks to the United States, which USDA itself acknowledges but fails to address."

I'm sure the USDA is using sound science, and even if their science changes from day to day, we must give them deference.

Do they really think China is our friend. If they wanted to give us bird flu on purpose, what an opportunity.

 

[PORKER]

Chinese chickens; China would have to process poultry slaughtered in the United States or other countries from which the U.S. accepts poultry. Like to SEE HOW that would be done?????????????

 

[Anonymous]

Chinese chickens; China would have to process poultry slaughtered in the United States or other countries from which the U.S. accepts poultry. Like to SEE HOW that would be done?????????????

You might have to check your chicken noodle soup to make sure they don't subsitute fishheads :wink: