China's delay in approving requests for new listing
and reinstatement of export establishments
– Specific Trade Concern 516
SUBMISSION BY THE UNITED STATES of america
The following submission,
received on 19 November 2024, is the statement made
by the United States of America at the 13-15
November 2024 WTO SPS Committee, and is being circulated at the request of
the Delegation of the United States of America.
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1. The
United States remains deeply concerned with the significant delays of the
General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) to
publish new dairy establishments and reinstate delisted US meat establishments.
2. Specifically,
the United States is disappointed that GACC has not published all requested new
US dairy establishments despite GACC having received a response from the
US Food and Drug Administration in September to its questions regarding the
ongoing HPAI outbreak in the United States. We would specifically note the
World Organization for Animal Health guidance that, "based on the
information currently available, restrictions to the international trade of
healthy cattle and their products are not recommended unless justified by an
import risk analysis conducted according to the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health
Code Chapter 2.1.".
3. We
request therefore that GACC immediately publish the list of diary
establishments that was provided by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
in July 2024. GACC's unfounded delay in publishing these lists unnecessarily
complicates the quarterly update cycle for these lists.
4. We
look forward to receiving confirmation of the prompt registration of new US
dairy establishments by GACC within the mutually agreed timeframe for US
submissions.
5. Further,
the United States remains disappointed that GACC has yet to relist eleven US
meat facilities despite being provided with corrective actions.
6. In
addition, the United States is concerned that GACC is testing products for
animal diseases that, consistent with guidance from the World Organization for
Animal Health, pose no risk to human health and present no food safety
concerns.
7. The
United States is frustrated that GACC is suspending establishments after a
single violation, and we request that GACC accept the provided corrective
actions and preventive measures taken by all affected establishments and
verified by the US Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) and immediately relist
the suspended establishments.
8. The
United States remains interested and available to work bilaterally with the People's
Republic of China to address our concerns.
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