Senators call for reopening US poultry export to China

Top US Senators have asked the Trump administration to push for export of poultry products to Asia, specially China, over a month after Beijing opened up its door to the American beef.

A bipartisan group of 37 senators in a letter urged the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to push the Chinese government to end its ban on the sale of American poultry products.

The ban was instituted by China in 2015 when a wild duck with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influence (HPAI) was found in the exported meat.

The ban continues to be enforced even today.

"Poultry is produced in almost every state. For communities and states that rely on a thriving and growing poultry industry, these agreements are essential to a strong and vibrant future," Senators said in a letter to US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

"The poultry industry provides thousands of high quality jobs in our rural communities and the reopening of the Chinese market would provide a huge boost for these rural areas. We encourage you to remain focused on the next steps to officially reopen the Chinese market as soon as possible," the Senators added.

Expanding market access in growing regions in the Asia Pacific, especially China, is essential for America's poultry producers and will result in creation of new jobs and higher wages in rural communities, they said.

"We are hopeful for a swift process and offer our strong support as you and your staff continue to work to reopen this critical export market for poultry produced in the United States," the letter said.

Last month, China officially allowed US beef imports after the two sides settled the conditions for American exports.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)