May 6, 2009

China's temporary bans on the imports of pigs and pork products from some regions affected by the influenza A (H1N1) virus comply with the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said Tuesday (May 5).

China's emergency measures, which are imposed to safeguard its livestock industry and human health from the H1N1 virus, are also in accordance with the rules of the World Organisation for Animal Health, Ma added during a regular press conference.

When asked about China's ban on pig and pork imports from Canada's Alberta province, where some pigs were found to have been infected with the virus, Ma replied that there are WTO rules that allow its members to take strict quarantine measures in emergencies.

Ma said China's measures met the requirements of Chinese laws and regulations as well as minimising the influence of the strict quarantine measures on the country's trade.

According to Canadian media reports, the Philippines, El Salvador, Honduras, Ukraine and other countries have stopped importing all pork products from Canada, the world's third largest pork exporter.

China has also banned pig imports from the affected regions in the US and Mexico, with the latter being the epicentre of the disease that has so far infected 1,490 people in 21 countries and caused 30 deaths.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has decided to remain its pandemic alert level at Phase 5, saying it had no clear plan to raise it to Phase 6, the highest level which signals a full pandemic is occurring.