Durbin, DeLauro Question US Trade Representative about US-China Trade Relationship

Press Release

Durbin, DeLauro Question US Trade Representative about US-China Trade Relationship

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today called for the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Susan Schwab to examine the U.S. trade relationship with China in light of the questions being raised in connection with the pet food recall about China 's poor sanitary conditions and lax food safety regulations. Recently, two companies in China have been identified as the source of the contaminated wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate in the pet food recall.

In today's letter, Durbin and DeLauro requested that Ambassador Schwab provide information about food safety standards included in current free trade agreements and other permanent trade relations, as well as what recourse is taken when imports threaten public health.

"Not that long ago, the vast majority of products at the local grocery store were from domestic manufacturers and subject to standard regulations. Today, an increasing amount of our food, food additives and over-the-counter drugs are imported from other countries -- where the laws governing food and drug safety are often lax or entirely absent," said Durbin. "Fewer than one in 50 food products from overseas are inspected. Those are poor odds for any bet and not a risk American families should have to take."

"There is significant evidence that China is failing to meet international food safety standards - from deceptive labeling and intentional contamination of products to unsanitary conditions. In a modern, globalized food supply system significant amounts of food imports are a reality," said DeLauro. "And the Chinese need to be aware that their regulations need to be strengthened because trade should not trump public health."

The text of the letter is below.

May 10, 2007
The Honorable Ambassador Susan Schwab
Office of the United States Trade Representative
600 17th Street, N.W.
Washington , DC 20508

Dear Ambassador Schwab:

We are writing in light of the recently discovered contamination of imported wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate used to manufacture pet food in the United States . This contamination led to the recall of millions of packages of pet food, a number of pet deaths and illnesses, and increased uncertainty about the safety and soundness of our food supply. Because the investigation also revealed that feeding operations for hogs, chickens, and fish also were affected, the contamination may have reached the human food supply.

The safety of food imports from China extends beyond the pet food recall. China is especially poor at meeting international food safety standards, which is particularly disturbing considering that China exported approximately $2.26 billion in agricultural products to the United States in 2006. A recent news article noted that, in February, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) blocked the entry of several food products from China because they contained banned additives, were tainted by pesticides or were contaminated with salmonella. Some products were simply unsanitary.

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is involved in these matters because regional, bilateral, and international trade agreements entered into by the United States often include sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. For example, there are two World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements that deal with food safety and animal and plant health and safety. We understand that these provisions allow countries to set their own standards but require countries to base regulations on science and encourage countries to use international guidelines where they exist.

Our concern is whether the USTR has the ability to challenge the sanitary and phytosanitary standards of our trading partners based on evidence that they are not meeting international standards and may be endangering public health in the United States .

This issue is particularly important as U.S. agricultural imports are predicted to reach a record $69 billion in FY 2007. If we are to continue at this rate, we must ask important questions about the food safety standards of our trade partners to ensure our nation's public health is not compromised.

Developing countries often lack sufficient regulations, monitoring, and enforcement of SPS regulations. China , for instance, has come under scrutiny in the past for an overall lack of transparency and failure to properly adhere to SPS measures required by the World Trade Organization.

While we understand the importance of the United States ' involvement in international trade, participation in these trade relations should not come at the expense of animal or human health.

Therefore, we request answers to the following questions—

1) What sanitary and phytosanitary measures are included in current free trade agreements and other permanent trade relations in which the United States is currently engaged?

2) What legal recourse does the United States possess with respect to imported food products that pose a threat to public health, in the event that the country where the offending product originated is not cooperative?

We believe this situation deserves your attention and careful review.

Sincerely,
ROSA L. DeLAURO RICHARD DURBIN
Member of Congress United States Senator

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