DeLauro Statement on Trade Agreement Exposing the U.S. to Unsafe Chinese Chicken

Statement

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding a new trade agreement between the United States and China that would allow China to ship cooked chicken to the United States.

"Despite his promise to stand up to China, President Trump is now allowing the Chinese to write the rules with this new trade agreement. China continues to face serious challenges with weak enforcement of food safety laws and regulations, including problems specifically related to poultry products. Now, the Trump Administration has agreed to allow Chinese chicken to be imported to the U.S. and on to the plates of American families.

"China is in the midst of a devastating and deadly bird flu outbreak that has claimed the lives of more than 200 people and required poultry farmers to kill more than 400,000 chickens. How can Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross say "we do not intend to endanger anybody's health or safety in the U.S.' when he is allowing potentially dangerous chicken into the country?

"China's terrible food safety regulations are going to put the health of U.S. consumers at risk and with Country of Origin Labeling not applying to these products, Americans will have no way of knowing if they are buying and eating this unsafe chicken. Given China's demonstrably poor food safety record, it is unacceptable to take unnecessary risks with the health of American families."

DeLauro has long fought against Chinese chicken and the importation of potentially unsafe food products to the United States. DeLauro successfully included language in the FY 2017 omnibus spending bill that prevents Chinese chicken from ending up in the National School Lunch Program.

Source