Source:  MEATINGPLACE.COM, 7/31/09
                              

The World Trade Organization on Friday decided to establish an expert panel to investigate and rule on whether a U.S. ban on Chinese poultry imports violates international trade rules, according to media reports.

The decision was made at a meeting of the WTO's dispute settlement body following a second request by the Chinese delegation.

Earlier this week, major U.S. meat companies including Tyson Foods, JBS S.A., Cargill, Seaboard, Sanderson Farms, Pilgrim's Pride, Smithfield Foods and Hormel Foods asked Congress to remove barriers to Chinese poultry imports to avoid potential retaliation by China on U.S. meat exports.

Trade groups have reported that Chinese importers already have begun to block shipments of U.S. chicken.

China first requested a panel review on July 20, but the U.S. delegation rejected that request.

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