Veneman Wants Japan Poultry Ban Lifted

January 21, 2002

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman has called on Japan to lift a 90-day ban on U.S. poultry and poultry products that was imposed due to the confirmation of a low-pathogenic avian influenza virus in what USDA says was a small number of chickens in Pennsylvania. Late last week, it was reported that Japan would allow U.S. chicken imports if the birds were processed before Nov. 11. The action softened the ban. The partial lifting of the ban was approved because it was believed the flu virus spread to U.S. chicken farms Nov. 12, Japan's agricultural ministry said. Even if the processing of U.S. chicken took place in other countries before importation into Japan, the government will allow them to be brought into the country as long as U.S. documents certify processing occurred before Nov. 11.

"According to Office of International de Epizootics (OIE) standards, low pathogenic avian influenza is not a reportable disease," Veneman said in a letter to Japan Agriculture Minister Tsutomu Takebe. "Given that OIE standards do not support a quarantine measure under these circumstances, we see no justification for this action. I urge you to immediately remove this unnecessary import restriction."

The virus was identified by the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratory as a low-pathogenic form of AIV. The state of Pennsylvania has taken actions including: depopulating the chickens to prevent any spread of the virus, inoculating its poultry, and using a monitoring program to continually test birds for potential diseases.

Veneman explained that the import ban is causing serious economic damage to U.S. poultry and egg producers in many regions of the United States. The Japanese market is important to the U.S. industry accounting for over $170 million annually. "This measure is disturbingly similar to the action taken by your government in November 2001, which was rescinded after we demonstrated a ban was unnecessary," Veneman said. "I am troubled that, having resolved this issue only two months ago, we are now faced with another import crisis for U.S. poultry and poultry products."

Veneman added that the U.S. Department of Agriculture responded fully and immediately last week to Japanese agriculture ministry's request for information on the avian influenza outbreak. "We now expect Japan to comply with its international obligations and immediately lift the import ban," she said.