June 30, 2005

China prepares against BSE
 

China will watch closely the BSE development in US and other countries and strengthen its border inspection to prevent the disease from spreading into the country, China's Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said.

The move follows US agriculture minister's announcement on Jun 24 that a confirmed case of BSE was reported in US.

AQSIQ will expand technical cooperation and exchange with the International Epizootic Bureau, while strictly enforcing existing policies that work to keep China free of BSE. AQSIQ also pointed out that China's current quarantine methods for BSE are effective.

Since last December, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and AQSIQ have banned the imports of cows and related products from US when a suspected case of BSE was reported in the US's Washington state.

Taiwan recently reinstated an import ban on US beef on Jun 25.