China recognizes Brazil as foot-and-mouth disease-free and lifts restrictions

João Barreto
China's customs agency reported that it has lifted bans related to foot-and-mouth disease in northern Brazil and recognizes the entire Brazilian territory as free of the disease, according to an official statement released this Tuesday (2).
Brazil, the world's largest beef and chicken exporter, sent more than half of its beef exports to China last year. China, the world's largest importer of beef, purchased almost US$3 billion in meat from Brazil in the first quarter of this year, according to the country's trade data.
In a joint statement, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil stated that the measure should expand opportunities for exporting beef and pork products, including offal and bone-in meat, to the Chinese market.
"The decision, announced today, comes after more than 20 years of negotiations between the countries," said the government Brazilian, noting that the announcement came after Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira's trip to Beijing for what China called a "strategic dialogue."
Last month, Brazil asked China to allow it to send more beef to the country. During a visit to Beijing in late May, Brazilian Agriculture Minister André de Paula asked China to reallocate export quotas unused by other countries to Brazil, but China rejected the request, Reuters reported last month.
China faced an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the northwest region of the country in late March. The Asian country confirmed foot-and-mouth disease in 219 cattle from two herds totaling 6,229 cattle in Gansu province and the Xinjiang region.
China has tightened border controls, accelerated vaccine approvals and implemented slaughter and disinfection measures following outbreaks.

Source: G1