June 2, 2005

 

USDA: More outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in China
 

 

After China reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on May 13, 2005, two outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) were reported in the Shandong and Jiangsu provinces. Additional FMD cases have also been reported in three other regions in China.  The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) informed Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Beijing on May 26, that new cases occurred in Bukesai'er County in the Xingjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Yanqing County of Beijing and Sanhe City in the Hebei Province.  A total of 4,383 cattle were culled, according to MOA's comments to the media.  The Chinese Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) of MOA held a media briefing for selected media this afternoon on the FMD situation in China.

 

The Government provided subsidies of RMB 4,000-6,000 per culled cattle.

 

Market impact of FMD differs in each region of China, but overall, the impact is not significant 

 

Based on information provided by FAS China's three ATO offices and USDA cooperators in China and Hong Kong, coupled with Chinese government agencies and private sector contacts, an analyst assessment was made about the market impact of FMD on beef trade and domestic consumption and supplies.  On the whole, China's beef market has not been significantly impacted, though one trade contact said that Shanghai has restricted purchases of domestic beef.

 

Hong Kong

 

According to ATO Hong Kong, the Chinese Government notified Hong Kong of the FMD outbreaks.  There is a protocol of disease notification between the Hong Kong Government and the Mainland Government.  However, there is no ¡¡ãdisease list¡¡À for notification, and any notification is based on authorities' judgment.  Hong Kong agricultural officials stated that they were notified, but not much earlier than when the media reported the cases.  To date, there are no changes in quarantine and inspection procedures in Hong Kong.

 

Mainland China

 

A May 26 telephone survey of local meat traders in several provinces indicate that most have not yet heard about the FMD outbreaks.  So far it seems there has been little impact on beef and meat supplies in South China.  Other places are more or less the same as Guangzhou.

 

However, one trade contact in Shanghai reported that hotels in Shanghai are unable to purchase domestic beef due to new measures being set up by Shanghai city officials to stop the sale of domestic beef in the city in response to the FMD cases.  If this reaction spread beyond Shanghai and significantly more FMD cases occur nationwide, there could be a disruption in domestic meat supplies. 

 

 

For the full USDA report, click here