US & CHINA - China’s decision not to appeal chicken case to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is welcome news for US industry.

The announcement on 25 September by US Trade Representative Michael Froman that the WTO has formally adopted the recent dispute settlement panel’s report in China’s anti-dumping and countervailing duty cases against imports of US chicken products is welcome news for the US poultry industry, according to the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) .

"The most important thing for both sides is to put this unfortunate situation behind us as quickly as possible,” said Jim Sumner, president of USAPEEC. "We’re also hopeful that China will remove anti-dumping duties on US chicken imports quickly.”

Over the last year, Mr Sumner made several trips to China for discussions with the Chinese poultry industry and with government officials, including a meeting last November with the deputy director of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

"We basically both agreed in principle at that time to accept the WTO panel’s ruling and to move forward,” he said. "It has not been in either of our best interests.”

Mr Sumner said that he met with Chinese poultry industry organisations several times to emphasize the positive relationship that the US and Chinese industries have developed over the years, and to solicit support for continued joint industry-to-industry activities, such as an international poultry symposium scheduled for November in China.

"We realise that the Chinese industry is going through some difficult times but USAPEEC has pledged to work with Chinese producers to expand poultry consumption in China,” he said. "We’re thankful that they recognise the benefit of working together for the benefit of both industries.”

Mr Sumner also praised former USTR, Ron Kirk, and Chief US Agricultural Negotiator, Dr Islam Siddiqui, for pursuing the case through the WTO process.

Source: thepoultrysite