Comment from Christopher Lish

Subject: Don't Allow Imported Poultry from China. (Docket No. APHIS-2006-0074) Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, I strongly oppose the interim rule on the importation of animals and animal products from regions where avian influenza exists, including China, into the United States (Docket # APHIS-2006-0074). I oppose this change to the import rules for the following reasons: * This rule would provide the most immediate benefit to the People’s Republic of China, a country that is currently trying to gain permission to export processed poultry products to the United States. * Poultry imports from China have been restricted because of the numerous H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks there. A recent report by the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization found that wiping out H5N1 avian influenza in countries where it is endemic, such as China, will likely take at least ten years. It is too soon to open the U.S. market to poultry products from China given the long-term problem the country faces with avian influenza. * The condition that poultry products from China must be cooked is not sufficient. If poultry is undercooked or cross contaminated, the risk of avian influenza could still exist. The more protective approach is to not allow imports from countries with this disease. Your proposed approach to avian influenza and imports is not going to protect American consumers and I urge you to return to a system that treats disease status on a country by country basis, and not to allow any poultry imports from the People's Republic of China. "Do not suffer your good nature, when application is made, to say 'Yes' when you should say 'No.' Remember, it is a public not a private cause that is to be injured or benefited by your choice." -- George Washington Thank you for your consideration of my comments. Please do NOT add my name to your mailing list. I will learn about future developments on this issue from other sources. Sincerely, Christopher Lish Olema, CA