*EPF212 01/22/2002
Text: Agriculture Secretary Calls on Japan to Lift U.S. Poultry Ban
(Veneman says U.S. chicken meets international standards) (820)

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman called on Japan to lift a 90-day ban on U.S. poultry and poultry products imposed after the confirmation of an outbreak of low-pathogenic avian influenza virus in a small number of chickens in Pennsylvania.

In a January 17 letter to Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Tsutomu Takebe, Veneman writes that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has taken "aggressive measures to control the avian influenza outbreak, including quarantine, depopulation, cleaning, disinfection and increased surveillance."

"U.S. actions taken to prevent the spread of this virus should assure your quarantine officials that U.S. poultry and poultry products meet international standards," she continues.

"USDA responded fully and immediately last week to MAFF'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 writes.

Following are the texts of a USDA press release on the issue and Secretary Veneman's letter to Minister Takebe:

(begin text)

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Release No. 0017.02
Alisa Harrison 202-720-4623

VENEMAN CALLS ON JAPAN TO LIFT POULTRY IMPORT BAN

WASHINGTON, January 18, 2002 -- Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman called on Japan to lift a 90-day ban on U.S. poultry and poultry products, which was imposed due to the confirmation of a low-pathogenic avian influenza virus in a small number of chickens in Pennsylvania.

"According to Office of International des 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 aggressive actions including: depopulating the chickens to prevent any spread of this virus, inoculating its poultry, and an aggressive 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.

(end text of press release)

(begin text of letter)

THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
20250-0100

January 17, 2002

His Excellency
Minister Tsutomu Takebe
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tokyo, Japan

Dear Minister Takebe:

I am writing to you today on an issue of utmost concern to the United States, the import ban Japan imposed January 12 on U.S. poultry and poultry products as a result of a localized outbreak of low-pathogenic avian influenza. 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. 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.

The current situation involves flocks in Pennsylvania where low-pathogenic avian influenza virus has been detected. According to OIE standards, low-pathogenic avian influenza is not a reportable disease. 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 Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has taken aggressive measures to control the avian influenza outbreak, including quarantine, depopulation, cleaning, disinfection and increased surveillance. U.S. actions taken to prevent the spread of this virus should assure your quarantine officials that U.S. poultry and poultry products meet international standards.

The Japanese market is very important to U.S. poultry meat and egg producers, accounting for approximately $170 million in exports annually. The Japanese import ban is causing serious economic damage to U.S. poultry and egg producers in many regions of the United States.

USDA responded fully and immediately last week to MAFF'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.

Sincerely,

Ann M. Veneman

(end text of letter)

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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