USDA is Considering Allowing Imports of Chinese Chicken.

USDA is Considering Allowing Imports of Chinese Chicken.

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Last fall, we had a great victory when nearly 15,000 Food &amp; Water Watch activists got Congress to keep the ban on imported poultry from China. Unfortunately, it was only a temporary victory, and now we need your help to maintain it. <a href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&amp;c=xrGSa%2FGzCg%2FmnM3KgZCm61yurFBWUFwm">Will you ask Congress to keep the current ban on Chinese poultry?</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<p>In just January and February of this year, dozens of products were blocked from coming into the U.S. from China, including fish, cookies, candy, crackers, juice, tea, canned and dried vegetables, and spices.&nbsp; The reasons for rejection weren't reassuring, either: contamination with melamine or banned chemicals like choramphenicol; pesticide residues and unsafe additives; and conditions inspectors described as "poisonous" and "filthy."&nbsp;</p>
<p>With a track record like this, it's too soon to start letting in processed poultry from China.&nbsp; In 2008, Congress successfully blocked the U.S. Department of Agriculture from allowing imported processed poultry from China.&nbsp; However, corporations such as Tyson and Cargill have been putting pressure on Congress to lift the ban because they are building factories in China.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In addition to ongoing problems with China's food safety standards and inspection system, there have been specific problems with Chinese poultry processing facilities, such as filthy and unsanitary conditions. Even worse, China has experienced several outbreaks of the very contagious bird flu that has not only infected poultry but also been fatally transmitted to humans.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Urge Congress to continue the ban on imported poultry products from China in the FY 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill:&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&amp;c=V4jfR2kzHUOvcm83VgWcsrpvIVIUldej">http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/t/5915/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27034</a><br /><br />Thanks for taking action,<br /><a href="http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/t/5915/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27034">http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/t/5915/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27034</a>&nbsp;</p>
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