Congress Studies Dangers Of Chinese Food Imports

International trade rules allow a foreign country to apply its own health standard to exported food.Congress Studies Dangers Of Chinese Food ImportsBy Cliff Montgomery – Aug. 10th, 2007Today we offer quotes from a July 17th, 2007, Congressional Research Service report on a clearly urgent matter: Food and Agricultural Imports from China.The study reveals the inherent dangers of a globalized marketplace in which international businesses increasingly may bypass national safety regulations.“U.S. food and agricultural imports have increased significantly in recent years, causing some in Congress to question whether the U.S. food safety system can keep pace.”A series of recent incidents have [particularly] raised safety concerns about the many foods, medicines, and other products from China.”For example, in early 2007, evidence began to emerge that adulterated pet food ingredients from China had caused the deaths of an unknown number of dogs and cats.”Furthermore, some ingredients also were fed to U.S. food animals, although federal officials claimed that humans were not at risk.”In late June 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it was detaining all imports of farm-raised seafood from China (specifically, shrimp, catfish, basa, dace, and eel) until the shippers of these products could confirm they are free of unapproved drug residues.”Although it has strongly defended its record, the Chinese government also has announced a variety of steps to improve the safety of its food and drug exports, including planned major revisions in its regulations, new inspections, and the closure of nearly 200 problem plants.”These and other developments have greatly heightened public and congressional scrutiny not only of China’s own food safety regime, but also of the adequacy of U.S. import safeguards.”In the 110th Congress, a number of congressional committees have held hearings on–or launched investigations of–food imports from China and elsewhere and the U.S. laws and regulations designed to ensure their safety. Bills also have been introduced aimed at clarifying and expanding federal authorities and/or reorganizing agency responsibilities.”Two federal agencies–FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)–are primarily responsible for the government’s food regulatory system, although a number of other federal, state, and local agencies also have important roles.”FDA officials claim that they are examining how best to determine relative risks among products (imported and domestically produced) and among exporting countries. Underlying all of these efforts is the question of whether the agency has sufficient money and staff to address these risks.”For imports, FSIS (which has oversight over most meat and poultry) relies on a very different regulatory system than FDA (which has oversight over other foods).”Although all imported food products must meet the same safety standards as domestically produced foods, international trade rules permit a foreign country to apply its own, differing, regulatory authorities and institutional systems in meeting such standards, under an internationally recognized concept known as “equivalence.””Despite recent statements by China that it is moving aggressively to improve its food safety system and close unsafe plants, some Members of Congress have expressed sharp criticism of both China’s food safety record and U.S. efforts to insure the safety of imports.Import Trends“U.S. imports of agricultural and seafood products from all countries increased from 32.9 million metric tons (MMT) in calendar year 1996 to 46.7 MMT in 2006, or by 42%. The increase by value was 98%, from $40.1 billion in 1996 to $78.5 billion in 2006.”Among the product categories that at least doubled in volume during the period were live animals, wine/beer, fruit/vegetable juices, wheat, coffee, snack foods, and various seafood products.”Not all agricultural imports enter the human food supply; some products are used as ingredients in pet food and animal feed, in manufactured goods (e.g., rubber), and in the nursery plant trade.”Nonetheless, consumers are obtaining a growing portion of their diets from overseas. In 2005, nearly 15% of the overall volume of U.S. food consumption was imported, compared with 11%-12% in 1995.”The proportions (volume) for some food product categories are much higher: in 2005 as much as 84% of all U.S. fish and shellfish was imported (55% in 1995); 43% of all non-citrus fresh fruits (34% in 1995); 37% of all processed fruits (20% in 1995); and 54% of all tree nuts (40% in  1995).”U.S. imports of Chinese agricultural and seafood products have increased far more rapidly than the global increase…U.S. imports of all Chinese food, agricultural, and seafood products have increased from nearly 0.411 million metric tons (MMT) in 1996 to 1.833 MMT in 2006, a 346% rise. The increase by value was 375%, from $880 million in 1996 to $4.2 billion in 2006.”China was the sixth leading foreign supplier of agricultural products to the United States and the second leading seafood supplier in 2006. When seafood values are combined with food and agricultural products, China was the third leading foreign supplier, after Canada and Mexico.”Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!