Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 11/29/11

A ban by China on poultry imports from specific U.S. states that began four years ago continues, even as slight policy adjustments open the door a crack for some poultry products from other areas.

Poultry and related products from Virginia were banned from import by China in June of 2007, a move that eliminated an estimated $10 million a year from the state’s economy since 2006, according to a report in the Virginia-Pilot. The ban reportedly stemmed from the discovery of a strain of bird flu in turkeys from a single farm in the Old Dominion that has since been cleaned and upgraded, although other initial reports noted escalating trade tensions between the two countries dating back to 2009.

Concerns about bird flu entering China apparently are behind limited bans of poultry and poultry products in other states, including Kentucky, Arkansas, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Texas and Minnesota. Some of the bans cite products originating from the states during specific period, others require testing for avian flu for poultry shipped before or after specific dates. The policy even prohibits poultry originating from the eligible states from being shipped to China from the ineligible states, even if the containers moving the poultry are sealed throughout the route.

A spokesman for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service noted that the bans most likely stemmed from avian flu fears, but was not able to confirm reports that discussions between U.S. and Chinese officials to make further adjustments to the bans are under way.

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