December 4, 2009

China to lift AH1N1-related ban on some Canadian pork imports

Chinese officials indicated they would lift the AH1N1-related ban on Canadian pork and pork products from Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta provinces, but a ban will remain on live swine imports.

According to reports, the announcement comes as Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrives in Beijing for his first official visit to China - Canada's second largest trading partner after the US.

China is an important export market for Canadian pork producers which exported CA$47 million worth of pork and live swine in 2008.

China banned pork from three countries - US, Canada and Mexico– this year due to outbreaks of AH1N1 flu. The US meat industry has criticised such bans as the flu is not transmitted by hogs or pork.