March 13, 2020

 

China draws up food safety standards on beef growth hormones

 

The proposed standards to limit growth hormone residues in beef could be a sign that China will open its market to US beef imports, reported Reuters.

 

Currently China's food standards require zero growth hormones in beef, which has limited US beef imports where growth hormone drugs are used.

 

But in the US-China Phase 1 trade deal, China agreed to adopt residue limits for three growth hormones used in US beef to make the US beef qualified for export to China. China is the biggest importer of beef in the world.

 

the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' department of agricultural products quality and safety supervision published the proposed new food standards on its website.

 

The new proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for the growth hormones Zearanol and Trenbolone Acetate (used in beef muscle) were 2 micrograms per kg and 1 microgram per kg for Melengestrol Acetate. These new standards do not involve beef offal.

 

The proposed limits are in line with the Codex Alimentarius, a collection of food safety standards that are internationally recognised.

 

China agreed to adopt the new MRLs within one month of the Phase 1 trade deal effective February 14, 2020 but it is not exactly certain if the changes will take effect then.

 

The new proposed food standards are applicable to all exports to beef to China.

 

China's beef imports in 2019 increased 59.7% to 1.66 million tonnes, but US beef only account for less than 1% of that number in between January to September 2019. US beef was only regranted access to China in 2017, after being prohibited for 14 years.

 

Analysts believe US sales to China will still be slow as it would take time for new hormone residue standards to be accepted.

 

Justin Sherrard, Rabobank global strategist of animal protein said demand for beef is impacted by imposed restrictions due to COVID-19, especially as China's catering and food service sector has been closed for weeks. These industries primarily consume imported beef.

 

In February 2020, China lifted a ban of US beef and beef products from cattle more than 30 years old, another condition that was set in the US-China Phase 1 trade deal.

 

-      Reuters