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China lifts restrictions on several U.S. pork facilities

 

China says it will resume imports of pork from more than a dozen U.S. plants and warehouses.

China banned pork from those facilities after it found traces of the growth-promotant ractopamine in some shipments. Some of the restrictions had been in place for more than a year.

In an email to Brownfield, a USDA spokesperson says six processing plants and eight cold storage facilities are involved. Those facilities have pledged not to process pork raised with ractopamine through USDA ractopamine control programs.

USDA says the announcement “will mean a significant boost in sales for American pork producers”.

Here is the statement Brownfield received from the USDA:

“Recently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reached agreement with Chinese officials to resume pork export opportunities for 6 processing and 8 cold storage facilities. U.S. facilities participating in one of USDA’s Ractopamine control programs, either the “Never Fed Beta Agonist” program or the Ractopamine- free program, will resume exports shortly. This will allow a greater share of U.S. pork and product exports to China in the coming months. U.S. pork exports to China were valued at more than $474 million in 2014. China is the world’s top consumer of pork and China imports more pork than any other country.  

China’s recognition of strong regulatory controls and the high quality of U.S. pork is a positive step in the relationship we are forging with China to bring mutually-beneficial food and agricultural trade to Americans and Chinese alike.  This renewed access for American exports is the culmination of years of hard work by USDA staff and will mean a significant boost in sales for American pork producers. 

USDA remains a strong partner and advocate in the international marketplace, working with foreign governments and international organizations to ensure the smooth and safe flow of international trade while emphasizing that trading standards need to be based in sound science. The past seven years have been the strongest in history for agricultural trade. Strong agricultural exports contribute to a positive U.S. trade balance, create jobs and boost economic growth. We now look to Congress to build on this success and support the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which bolsters that will create thousands of new American jobs and opportunities for American farmers, ranchers and producers.”