In response to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Federal Register notice of November 27, 2012, the National Chicken Council, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, and the National Turkey Federation filed comments conditionally supporting Korea’s request to export certain chicken products to the United States.
In 2005, the government of Korea requested approval to export poultry products to the United States. If approved, Korea stated its immediate intention is to export two types of ginseng chicken stew products to the United States. These products are instant ginseng chicken stew that is in a retort pouch, heat pasteurized, stored and transported as a frozen poultry product, and is a ready-to-eat (RTE) poultry product. The other product is “hometown” ginseng chicken stew, which is a sterilized retort product and is shelf stable. This is also a RTE poultry product.
In the letter, the organizations noted that FSIS has determined that Korea has successfully addressed all of the deficiencies that FSIS had identified. The three groups believe that both the U.S. and Korea inspection authorities have approached this equivalency decision with great patience, determination, and rigor. The organizations are assured by the record that U.S. authorities have taken the time and made the effort to guarantee that the products that will be imported from Korea meets standards that guarantee public and animal health to the same extent as U.S. poultry products.
“We also note and fully expect that U.S. regulatory oversight of Korean exports to the United States will continue with vigor. Korea will certify to FSIS those establishments that operate in a manner equivalent to U.S. poultry plants; moreover, the Korean system and Korean plants that are so certified will be subject to audit and verification where FSIS determines it is necessary. Also, Korean poultry products will be subject, in appropriate circumstances, to re-inspection at U.S. ports. One major risk of having unacceptable imported poultry products available to U.S. consumers is the risk of jeopardizing the public confidence, not just with imported products, but also with USDA’s entire inspection system and programs, which can easily spill over to domestically-produced product. Thus, it is important that there be no missteps in the approval process,” NCC, USAPEEC, and NTF explained in the letter.
Korea is the seventh largest U.S. export market and the sixth largest market for U.S. agricultural exports. Korea has a population of 49 million people and imported an estimated 134,000 metric tons of poultry and egg products in 2012, valued at more than $317 million. The U.S.-Korea FTA provides rules to simplify conditions of trade and to eliminate trade barriers between the countries. The three groups believe that growth in trade can and will continue, resulting in a number of benefits to the U.S. economy, included additional jobs in the export sector. Supporting the concept of open and two-way trade between the United States and its free trade agreement partners is fully consistent with regulations and inspection procedures that guarantee the highest level of food safety and animal health, the letter noted.
The jointly signed letter is available here.
