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Analysis of US poultry meat trade with the EU: Past, present, future
By the USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service - The US exports $2.2 billion of poultry meat per year, however none of those exports enter the EU. This report outlines some of the current and historical reasons for this. Web links and other sources are cited as appropriate.
Summary
The EU imports an average of $1.2 billion of poultry per year. However, none of that poultry
is currently coming from the US, although annual US exports of poultry average $2.2 billion
per year. With a market of 25 member states and 455 million consumers, imports of US
poultry should be greater than they are.
The EU’s 1997 ban on the use of anti-microbial treatments for sanitizing poultry carcasses
effectively halted US poultry exports to the EU, even though the use of anti-microbial
treatments is approved by FDA. What is less commonly known is that on and off since the
1960s, US poultry exports have faced hurdles in reaching the European market. This report
provides a historical perspective of some of the reasons US poultry exports to the EU have
not maintained a significant market share in the EU market. Additionally, this report
highlights the leadership role US poultry exports have in the world market.
Conclusion
US poultry exports to the EU have faced impediments for decades. The aggregate for US-EU
agricultural trade makes the EU the fourth largest market for US exports despite the fact that
the EU has 455 million consumers. Canada, Japan, and Mexico each import more
agricultural products from the US than the EU, even though, Canada, Japan, and Mexico
have smaller populations and lower GDPs.
The EU’s promotion of increased animal welfare standards could be the next obstacle US and
other exporters will have to confront. Also on the horizon is continued EU enlargement,
which would spread the ban on anti-microbial treatments unless the US and the EU resolve
the issue over the ban.
Contents
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Summary
1960s: EEC regulations and tariffs hinder US access to EEC poultry markets
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French ban on certain compounds in poultry feed
The Chicken Wars: Increased tariffs on poultry
EEC introduces export subsidies
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Chilling poultry
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Ban on anti-microbial treatments
EU Food Hygiene Regulations
EU Enlargement, 2004
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Changes in sources of EU poultry imports
US poultry shut out of EU markets
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Animal welfare for farmed animals
Future EU enlargements
Related reports
Further Information
To read the full report please click here (20 page PDF Doc)
Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service - August 2005
