US poultry industry supports Mexico in Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership

The National Chicken Council and the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council have expressed their support for Mexico's inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, in response to the U.S. International Trade Commission’s request for comments and investigation on negotiating objectives with respect to the country's participation.
“Mexico’s membership is unconditionally supported by our industry and we view its inclusion as an opportunity to demonstrate improved relations by our government agencies and, thusly, both of our industries,” said National Chicken Council President Mike Brown and export council President Jim Sumner.

Mexico, which was not originally included in current negotiations, now joins Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. The U.S. Trade Representative has asked the International Trade Commission to provide advice concerning the probable economic effect of a U.S. free trade agreement with the countries. Brown and Sumner said Mexico’s participation does not offer anything in terms of tariff reductions since the two countries have long eliminated duties on poultry products. What it does offer, they said, “is an opportunity for the two governments to negotiate on the two issues that remain thorns in the side of liberalized trade in poultry: lack of productive movement on sanitary and phytosanitary issues and the use of bogus antidumping cases to hinder trade.”
Two negotiating objectives for Mexico’s inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership were also suggested:

• The negotiation of a specific and mutually agreed work-plan and timetable for recognition of Exotic Newcastle Disease-free areas in Mexico, and for recognition of equivalency of the Mexican poultry inspection systems, with a view toward establishing an acceptable level of two-way trade as soon as possible, consistent with public and animal health protection.
• The negotiation of a “peace clause” that would prevent either country from bringing antidumping cases, or imposing antidumping duties, on the other’s poultry products.