Source: MEATINGPLACE, 8/3/11

The United States is looking to welcome Mexican poultry imports which for many years have faced sanitary sanctions, Mexican news outlet Milenio.com reports.

Hugo Pérez Cano, head of the International Trade Practices Unit of Mexico's Ministry of Economy, affirmed that a new proposal by the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) would seek to certify poultry processing plants in Mexico and grant them direct access to the U.S. market.

U.S. inspectors will be visiting Mexican processing plants in the coming months, studying up close which ones have eradicated such bird diseases as Newcastle.

Mexico imports more than 15 percent of its poultry products from the U.S., estimated at 3.29 million tons per year.

Pérez Cano said that, at the request of such companies as Bachoco, Patsa and Buenaventura, Mexico has been investigating U.S. “dumping” practices since early 2011. The investigation now has around 50 participating companies.

These companies argue that U.S. poultry products exported to Mexico are sold below market prices, which seriously impacts the national industry.

Pérez Cano said that the Ministry of Economy will continue its “dumping” investigation and, if any violations are found, Mexico may impose a high tariff to all incoming U.S. poultry products.

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