China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has suspended imports of chicken and pork from Tyson Foods Inc with six other U.S. companies. China’s quality watchdog agency arraigned that frozen chicken meat from Tyson was found to contain salmonella. Ractopamine, a feed additive, was found in Van Luin Foods’ frozen pig ears, an anti-parasite drug was found in frozen chicken feet from Sanderson Farms. Quality watchdog agency also found ractopamine in Thumph Foods. Cargill, Thumph Foods and Van Luin’s Imports were suspended for 45 days, while the remaining companies face unspecified suspension periods. On the suspension, Tyson Foods responded quickly and said that it had received no notification and clarification from the Chinese government about the ban. To act timely over the matter, Tyson spokeswoman Libby Lawson said: We will work with the U.S. and Chinese governments to get this matter resolved However, the suspension seems an act of retaliation from the Chinese authorities and added fuel in the skirmish that began in March after FDA suspended its exported seafood, toothpaste and toys citing concerns about carcinogens or residues of antibiotics in the United States. Regulations against American exported foods earn criticism from the Bush administration and the American Chamber of Commerce in China is seeking a proper and fair investigation over the ban. US officials are aghast with the China’s action and are seeking clarification on the matter from Chinese authorities. The administration is also consulting the US exporters involved to try to see if there is substance in the Chinese claims. US have advised China to avoid any act of retaliation, whereas Chamber suggested country to look forward to build up firm bilateral trade. Joining the league, China macro-strategist for CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets Andy Rothman, said: China needs to avoid taking steps that appear to be simple retaliation and both sides need to make a big effort not to politicize the problem The US is likely to make a fuller response any time today, but the thing that hurts me the most are the regulations – whether imposed by America or China – most of the business firms are hurt gravely. To win back American faith, China closed more than 100 food-processing plants and executed its former head of food and drug regulator thus making thousands of workers jobless. Well now, it is US’s turn! Source
Business or politics? It’s time US and China decide!
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