January 16, 2024

China lifts five-year ban on Belgian swine, pork products

China's customs authorities have officially lifted a five-year ban on swine and pork products from Belgium, originally imposed in 2018 due to an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), Nasdaq reported.

This announcement aligns with a crucial meeting between Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The General Administration of Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that Belgium's exports of pig and pork products to China must adhere strictly to statutory inspection and quarantine requirements. This joint statement comes after a thorough risk analysis, indicating that the decision is grounded in a comprehensive assessment.

The move to lift the ban suggests a level of confidence in the measures taken by Belgium to address the concerns related to ASF.

China remains vigilant about its biosecurity, evident in its recent ban on the import of swine, swine products, and wild boars from Bangladesh. This decision follows the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reporting an outbreak of the disease in Chittagong, a major port city in Bangladesh.

-       Nasdaq