China has agreed to resume beef imports from Brazil immediately.
The statement was released on Thursday, 23, by the Chinese General Administration of Customs (Gacc).
“The General Administration of Customs attaches great importance to the voluntary suspension, has held several rounds of technical consultations with the Brazilian side, and has organized experts to conduct a risk assessment on the Brazilian mad cow disease prevention and control system,” the Chinese government said.
Brazilian authorities voluntarily suspended beef sales to China on February 23 after discovering an atypical case of mad cow disease in Pará.
On March 2, there was confirmation that the disease appeared spontaneously, with no risk of spreading.
“When the relevant products enter the country, Customs will implement inspection and quarantine following laws and regulations to ensure they meet safety and health requirements,” Gaac reinforced.
Last year, about 60% of Brazil’s beef exports were destined for China.
The resumption of trade comes one day after Brazilian Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro arrived in Beijing ahead of a visit by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday 26.
Lula will visit China accompanied by a delegation of 240 business representatives, 100 from the agricultural sector.
With information from Revista Oeste
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