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Steven Cohen

WASHINGTON, April 20, 2006 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced a final rule making the People's Republic of China eligible to export processed poultry products from approved sources to the United States.

The final rule will allow export from China of processed poultry products derived from poultry raised in the U.S. and slaughtered in FSIS-inspected establishments or raised and slaughtered in other countries eligible to export poultry to the U.S. This rule does not make China eligible to export processed poultry products to the U.S. that are derived from birds of Chinese origin slaughtered in China's domestic establishments. The rule becomes effective on May 24 and can be viewed at: https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081106094617/http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_Policies/index.asp.

Certified establishments in China must have procedures in place to ensure that products produced for domestic use are processed at separate times from those produced for export to the U.S. FSIS, through on-site reviews, will verify that establishments certified by the government of China are meeting all U.S. requirements.

In addition to relying on its initial determination of a country's eligibility and performing ongoing reviews to ensure that products shipped to the U.S. are safe, wholesome and properly labeled and packaged, all processed poultry products exported to the U.S. from China will be subject to FSIS reinspection procedures at ports of entry. These procedures include examinations for product defects; laboratory analyses that will detect any chemical residues or microbiological contamination; proper certification; transportation damage; labeling; general condition; and accurate count.

The rule proposing to allow the export of processed poultry products from China was published in November 2005 following 18 months of review of documentation and on site audits of China's poultry processing inspection system. FSIS determined that China's laws, regulations, and other materials showed that its poultry processing system includes requirements equivalent to all provisions in the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) and its implementing regulations.