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China lifts ban on U.S. beef

It’s official. China has lifted its ban on imports of U.S. beef.

According to China’s Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), the removal of the ban is effective immediately. However, USDA acting deputy secretary Michael Scuse tells Brownfield China’s announcement is just the first step in a process.

“The next steps would be for us to meet with the Chinese—the appropriate individuals at MOA and AQSIQ—to go over the protocols,” Scuse says, “and then, once those protocols are established, then for the Chinese to send audit teams to the United States to audit our systems, to make sure that the protocols can be followed.”

Scuse says it’s hard to say how long that will take, but adds, “we’re looking forward to continuing the process so that we can get that market eventually opened.”

The announcement applies to U.S. bone-in beef and boneless beef for livestock under 30 months of age.

China halted imports of U.S. beef in 2003 after a case of BSE was found in Washington State.

AUDIO: Michael Scuse