January 15, 2021

China suspends pork imports from Brazilian slaughterhouse

China has suspended pork imports from an Aurora slaughterhouse in Chapecó, Santa Catarina state, Brazil.

Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) said that China also requested information on COVID-19 cases at the facility and justified the suspension by 'concerns regarding this unit' without giving further details.

The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) website has the registration number SIF 3548 referring to the suspended unit to a plant of the Aurora cooperative.

To reverse the situation, the Brazilian Animal Protein Association (ABPA) provided the necessary information to MAPA to send to Chinese authorities. ABPA said that it "emphasises that this is a punctual and past situation. All information and demonstrations of good practices from the cooperative, following strict sectoral and official protocols for COVID-19, have been demonstrated in detail to the Chinese authorities."

Furthermore, ABPA reiterated that there is no scientific evidence linking the infection of COVID-19 from food consumption.  However,China has already carried out similar suspensions against other Brazilian slaughterhouses, including JBS and BRF, although some suspensions have been lifted.

China has suspended importation from 11 slaughterhouses and one fish unit from Brazil, due to concerns over COVID-19 infections.

However, exports from BRF units in Dourados and Lajeado, Marfrig in Várzea Grande, Minerva in Barretos, Monteiro Indústria de Pescados and meat processor Agra have resumed.

Five slaughterhouses are still suspended by China.

 - Pig Progress