Outsourcing Our Meat to China
09.24.13
Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter
Washington, D.C.— “The recent USDA decision to allow processed chicken imports from China, coupled with news of the Smithfield-Shuanghui merger approval by shareholders and a federal review commission, shows that U.S. regulators are paving the way for meat imported from China—a country with a terrible food safety record.
“Smithfield wants the public to believe this merger is just about exporting pork to China. And the USDA is trying to soothe consumers by promising that imported processed poultry products will be made from U.S.-origin birds. But it is only a matter of time until these initial conditions ease and we are importing meat and poultry from China.
“U.S. consumers should know that the politics of trade are trumping common sense when it comes to our food. Our regulators shouldn't be making it easier for the chicken breasts or pork chops on our plates to be born, raised and slaughtered in China.”
Contact: Darcey Rakestraw, 202-683-2467; [email protected]
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