September 24, 2009

China stuck to its position of imposing new requirements on pork imports from several European countries, following a meeting between the European Union's health chief and Chinese food safety officials in Beijing on Wednesday (Sep 23).

China September 18 announced that pork imports from four EU states, namely Denmark, France, Italy and Spain as well as those from Canada are required to undergo an additional test to certify that all pork meat are free of the AH1N1 influenza virus.

The EU opposed the measures as they impose additional costs on exporters and it said its pork products are safe.

Androulla Vassiliou, EU health and food safety commissioner, said in the entire EU, there was only one case in a particular farm in Northern Ireland that had the AH1N1 virus and they have taken very strict measures regarding the biosecurity of that farm.

She also cited a May 2009 joint declaration by the World Health Organisation, Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Organisation for Animal health stating that AH1N1 is not transmitted through the consumption of pork.

Meanwhile, China defended its actions. Yu Taiwei, head of food safety for imports and exports at the General Administration for Quality Supervision Inspection & Quarantine, said the affected countries are still allowed to export pork to China but they have to undergo more intensified inspection. He added that every country has the responsibility to guarantee the quality securities of its export products. He also denied that the move constituted a trade restriction as the measures comply fully with the World Trade Organisation regulations.

The US government and pork industry representatives have also complained repeatedly over China's recent practices of banning US pork due to AH1N1 concerns.

China is a major consumer of meat products. It imported 1.84 million tonnes last year. The country has also become the world's leading meat producer, with a pork output of 44.59 million tonnes in 2008.