June 16, 2023

China lifts import bans on Polish, Belgian beef from cattle under 30 months old

China has announced the lifting of import bans on Polish and Belgian beef from cattle less than 30 months old, in accordance with the rules set by the World Organisation for Animal Health and based on comprehensive risk assessments.

China's General Administration of Customs (GAC) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MOA) confirmed this decision on Thursday.

The import bans were initially imposed in March 2001 following the detection of mad cow disease in Poland and Belgium. Both nations have since implemented stringent laws and regulations to prevent and control the disease. They have established robust systems for feed safety and early monitoring, ensuring the traceability of products from farms to consumers.

China sent an expert group to evaluate the effectiveness of the disease prevention and control systems in Poland and Belgium, determining that the measures taken align with Chinese quarantine and health requirements.

This evaluation, along with compliance with animal and plant quarantine laws and international standards, led to the decision to lift the import bans. Chinese authorities are currently in the process of revising food import restrictions, utilising advanced food safety technology to address previous disease concerns and to meet the growing demands of Chinese consumers, according to an anonymous source close to the matter.

In addition to the beef bans, China also lifted the long-standing prohibition on Italian pork, which was imposed in 1999 due to vesicular exanthema of swine virus. Earlier this year, the import ban on Colombian pork, implemented in 2013 due to classical swine fever and foot and mouth disease virus, was also rescinded.

Cui Hongjian, the director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, highlighted the significance of lifting these bans for the local husbandry industry, as there are vast opportunities presented by China's substantial market and the increased options it offers to Chinese consumers.

-      Global Times