Curbs on US chicken imports withdrawn
India has withdrawn curbs on US chicken imports. The US continues to
press for damages against India on poultry import curbs. Citing avian influenza concerns, India had
for years virtually banned poultry imports from the US, prompting the latter to
move the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In 2015, the WTO ruled against India. Since
then, India has made two rounds of changes in its bird flu regulations.
Now, US poultry imports have started to arrive. Avian influenza concerns
aside, US chicken leg imports are not without their problems. The US palate
favours chicken breast, while the feet of the bird are exported to China where
they find a ready market. The lower part of the bird is believed to contain
high concentrations of antibiotics residue. The Food Safety and Standard
Association of India (FSSAI) had said that it “will develop a procedure for
inspection and monitoring of slaughtering/processing plants before grant of
market access.” The order added that exporting countries would have to provide
the prescribed certifications to India. However, India should improve its food
standards to ensure compliance.
Even if imports are likely to be cheap, it may not find many takers in a
country where people largely prefer fresh meat. However, a growing number of
urban Indians eat out in fast-food joints, which may use such imported chicken.
Once it reaches India, where would the chicken be kept? Most Indian
stores having round the clock freezers are high end ones. Their customers are
not looking for cheap chicken legs. In short as usual India doesn’t like to
have a dent in its local market. It can also not bring about standards needed
to use this chicken safely.
This is a complicated knot and India ought to be patient and with
diligence since the ruling of the WTO on the issue of chicken import from US
and India's restrictions, in favour of US, gives the exporter an upper hand and
a compensatory fine has been imposed by WTO. India could avert the fine if US
could withdraw the case with WTO. India has to slowly draw its head from the
lock. In future such types of imports on cost factor must be avoided since
frozen meat is not good for health.
India has a large population and food contamination by overuse of
antibiotics has serious health implications. Indian food regulator has to
monitor and ensure the safety and hygiene of such foods. Equally important but
glaringly lacking is the food hygiene at the millions of road-side restaurants
in India which are poorly monitored by the state authorities. Once contaminated
food imports enter the country, it can certainly find ready markets due to
various commercial motives often at the cost of serious health risks.
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