US Senators Saxby Chambliss (Republican-Georgia), Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Johnny Isakson (Republican-Georgia), have issued the following statements regarding the Chinese Commerce Ministry's decision to finalise anti-dumping duties on imports of US poultry products. The so-called 'anti-dumping' duties on US poultry products were originally put in place last February on a preliminary basis. The move places duties at rates ranging from 43 per cent up to 105.4 per cent.

Senator Chambliss said: "The actions by the Chinese are unfortunate and based on a faulty interpretation of the facts. I find it questionable to claim the poultry industry is the recipient of subsidies. It is regrettable the Chinese are targeting this industry to express their frustration with other trade matters. This tit-for-tat action will undoubtedly lead to increase tensions, rather than lessen them."

Senator Isakson added: "As one of the largest poultry producers in the country, Georgia has nearly three-fourths of its 159 counties involved in the poultry business. This decision by the Chinese is unfortunate for Georgia's entire poultry industry, and it could not come at a worse time as Pilgrim's Pride prepares to reopen its plant in Douglas, Georgia. This will only stifle economic growth at a time when Georgia’s economy can least afford it. I urge the Obama Administration to make reversing these duties a high priority."

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