Chinese poultry meat makes comeback in EU

JINAN, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) Chinese poultry meat will soon appear on European dinner tables under a European Union (EU) decision, effective yesterday, to lift a six-year import ban. brThe European Commission (EC) has released a list of nine Chinese companies, all in the eastern Shandong Province, that were approved to export heat-treated poultry meat products to the EU. brThe EU reopened its markets to Shandong companies after four years of scrutiny. It is good news for Chinese producers and especially farmers, said an official with the Shandong provincial department of foreign trade. brThe official estimated that China's annual exports of heat- treated poultry products to the EU could reach 100,000 tons worth 1 billion U. S. dollars. brThe EU examined poultry product producers in Shandong, Shanghai and the northeastern part of China over the past four years. The reopening to Shandong companies is seen as a sign that Chinese companies will have greater market access in the future. brThe authorities collected EU regulations, laws and requirements that involve poultry product imports, translating them into Chinese so as to guide companies to operate accordingly in breeding, slaughter and heat treatment.