P. Scott Shearer, Vice President

June 11, 2012

1 Min Read
Objections to Mexican Chicken Duties

Forty-nine members of Congress have written to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk saying the anti-dumping duties Mexico is set to place on U.S. poultry would have “devastating economic impact” if finalized.

Mexico will make a final decision by mid-August on antidumping duties against U.S. imports of chicken leg quarters. The duties proposed range from 64% to 129%. The letter states that Mexico is using a calculation “that is unacceptable to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Using the average cost of production assumes that every part of the chicken should be paid at least at this cost. This assumption is flawed, discriminates against U.S. producers and concerns us members.”

The members reminded USTR that this accelerated cost of production approach could encourage Mexico and other countries to institute “frivolous anti-dumping actions” against U.S. beef, pork and dairy sectors.

About the Author(s)

P. Scott Shearer

Vice President, Bockorny Group, Inc.

Scott Shearer is vice president of the Bockorny Group Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C. With more than 30 years experience in government and corporate relations in state and national arenas, he is recognized as a leader in agricultural trade issues, having served as co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority. Scott was instrumental in the passage of China Permanent Normal Trade Relations and TPA. He is past chairman of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products and was a member of the USAID Food Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Bockorny Group, Scott served as director of national relations for Farmland Industries Inc., as well as USDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (1993-96), serving as liaison for the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to Congress.

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