Lifting poultry trade restrictions
Within a week, U.S. senator Chris Coons is discuss what he describes as unfair trade methods from South Africa with world leaders.
Since the year 2000, the United States has exported nearly 100-million pounds of chicken according to National Chicken Council. Senator Coons says essentially none of it has gone to South Africa because of unfair trade practices.
“It makes it too expensive for anyone to buy, so it’s virtually no importation from the united states. Instead, they’re on favorable terms trading with Brazil and with Europe and allowing their poultry into the South African market.” Says Senator Coons.
Senator Coons co-founded and co-chairs the U.S. Senate Chicken Caucus. He says South Africa places tariffs on American poultry, effectively blocking it, in an effort to grow South Africa’s own poultry sectors and contribute job opportunities for their farmers. This can apparently chip away opportunities for American farms, which employ over 300,000 people.
“In order for us to continue to have a stable and and vibrant and growing population here on the Delmarva peninsula and across the country, we need to continue to grow our export opportunities. It’s one of the best ways for us to continue to have a robust and a growing poultry economy here in the united states.” He says.
Where Senator Coons calls the practice unfair, some like Professor Leonard Arvi of Salisbury University call it illegal.
“I think it’s a complete violation of the W.T.O…the World Trade Organization rules…which promotes fair trade and open markets.” Says Dr. Arvi.
Senator Coons says he wants to negotiate and is planning to talk with leaders from both countries about relieving the unfair blockage.
Professor Arvi supports a negotiation and says the poultry industry produces 45 billion dollars each year in chicken products, but the market must be open.
“When markets are open, everybody benefits. The poultry industry here in the U-S that employs a lot of people and allied businesses.” Says Dr. Arvi.
Senator Coons says the two biggest markets in Africa include Nigeria and South Africa.
