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Bush tackles scares over imports Bush tackles scares over imports
(about 4 hours later)
US President George W Bush has set up a panel to look at the safety of food and other products imported into the US.US President George W Bush has set up a panel to look at the safety of food and other products imported into the US.
The measure follows a series of scares in the US involving fish, seafood, toothpaste, toys and tyres from China.The measure follows a series of scares in the US involving fish, seafood, toothpaste, toys and tyres from China.
The White House has denied the move is aimed specifically at China, saying it is important to check all imports.The White House has denied the move is aimed specifically at China, saying it is important to check all imports.
Beijing has accused foreign media of exaggerating problems with Chinese products, but has admitted that safety standards need to improve.Beijing has accused foreign media of exaggerating problems with Chinese products, but has admitted that safety standards need to improve.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also faced criticism over its ability to monitor the safety of goods consumed in the US.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also faced criticism over its ability to monitor the safety of goods consumed in the US.
Political backlashPolitical backlash
White House spokesman Tony Snow said Mr Bush would meet with the new panel, to be headed by Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, on Wednesday. The Import Safety Working Group is due to report back to Mr Bush with its recommendations in 60 days.
Asked if he thought Beijing would be offended by the move, Mr Snow replied: "This is not a slap at China. Speaking after his first meeting with the panel, Mr Bush said: "Food safety and consumer safety is a serious issue.
CHINESE PRODUCT SCARES Pet food - tainted with chemical melamineToothpaste - tainted with chemical diethylene glycol and bacteriaFarmed fish - traces of banned drugs and pesticides foundTyres - fault may cause blow-outsToys - contain lead or pose choking hazardChildren's jewellery - contains leadCeramic heaters - pose fire safety risk Source: FDA and US Consumer Product Safety Commission China's tainted food crisis US consumer fearsCHINESE PRODUCT SCARES Pet food - tainted with chemical melamineToothpaste - tainted with chemical diethylene glycol and bacteriaFarmed fish - traces of banned drugs and pesticides foundTyres - fault may cause blow-outsToys - contain lead or pose choking hazardChildren's jewellery - contains leadCeramic heaters - pose fire safety risk Source: FDA and US Consumer Product Safety Commission China's tainted food crisis US consumer fears
"This is in fact a normal piece of business and we get food imports from 150 countries around the world and it's important to monitor them all." "The American people expect their government to work tirelessly to make sure consumer products are safe."
The panel's chairman, Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, told reporters: "The world is changing a great deal and Americans have an expectation that the products they buy are safe."
But Democratic Senator Charles Schumer, who has called for an "import czar" to oversee all products brought into the US, said it did not seem like the "full-bore effort" that was needed, Reuters news agency reports.
White House spokesman Tony Snow earlier dismissed the suggestion that Beijing would be offended by the move.
"This is not a slap at China," he said. "This is in fact a normal piece of business and we get food imports from 150 countries around the world and it's important to monitor them all."
The safety of Chinese products has come under question in the US following a series of alerts and product recalls.The safety of Chinese products has come under question in the US following a series of alerts and product recalls.
In one case, 1.5 million toy trains were recalled after they were found to be coated in paint containing lead, which can be toxic to children if ingested.In one case, 1.5 million toy trains were recalled after they were found to be coated in paint containing lead, which can be toxic to children if ingested.
The FDA also last month halted the import of five types of farmed fish and seafood from China until they can be proven to be free of harmful chemicals and drugs banned in the US.The FDA also last month halted the import of five types of farmed fish and seafood from China until they can be proven to be free of harmful chemicals and drugs banned in the US.
The discovery of contaminated wheat gluten from China in pet food, blamed for the death of an unknown number of cats and dogs, prompted the recall of more than 100 brands this year.
Meanwhile, a political backlash in the US against the spiralling US trade deficit with China has led to calls in Congress for tighter controls on imports.Meanwhile, a political backlash in the US against the spiralling US trade deficit with China has led to calls in Congress for tighter controls on imports.
Official executedOfficial executed
The situation has heightened tensions between the two nations over trade.The situation has heightened tensions between the two nations over trade.
China has banned some US meat products it says are unsafeBeijing announced that its officials would meet with teams from the FDA at the end of July to discuss the block on imports of fish and seafood products. China has banned some US meat products it says are unsafeBeijing announced that its officials would meet with teams from the FDA at the end of July to discuss the block on imports of fish and seafood.
At the same time, Beijing has imposed a suspension on some US meat imports and has defended a Chinese tyre maker accused in the US of exporting faulty products.At the same time, Beijing has imposed a suspension on some US meat imports and has defended a Chinese tyre maker accused in the US of exporting faulty products.
China has also taken steps to show it is taking the issue of quality control seriously.China has also taken steps to show it is taking the issue of quality control seriously.
The former head of the State Food and Drug Administration was executed last week for corruption, while high-profile inspections of manufacturing plants have taken place.The former head of the State Food and Drug Administration was executed last week for corruption, while high-profile inspections of manufacturing plants have taken place.