BEIJING, June 2 - China’s customs authority issued an official notice on Tuesday saying it has lifted bans tied to foot-and-mouth disease in northern Brazil and now recognises the whole of Brazil as free of the disease.
The move is significant for Brazil, which is the world’s largest exporter of both beef and chicken. Last year, more than half of Brazil’s beef exports were destined for China. In the first quarter of this year, China — the world’s biggest beef importer — purchased nearly $3 billion worth of meat from Brazil, according to trade data cited in the notice.
Brazilian authorities hailed the decision, saying it should broaden market opportunities for exports of Brazilian beef and pork products, explicitly including offal and bone-in meat for the Chinese market. The Brazilian government noted the outcome followed more than 20 years of negotiations between the two countries and highlighted Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira’s trip to Beijing for what China described as a "strategic dialogue."
Diplomatic engagement preceded the customs announcement. Brazil had asked China last month to permit additional beef exports. During a visit to Beijing in late May, Brazilian Agriculture Minister Andre de Paula requested that China reallocate unused export quotas from other nations to Brazil, but China denied that request.
The customs decision arrives against the backdrop of recent FMD detections inside China. In late March, Chinese authorities confirmed foot-and-mouth disease in 219 cattle across two herds that together comprised 6,229 cattle, located in Gansu province and the Xinjiang region. In response to those outbreaks, China tightened border controls, sped up vaccine approvals, and conducted culling and disinfecting operations.
The customs notice does not add new export quotas or detail immediate shipment schedules. It formally recognises Brazil’s FMD-free status and removes the previous northern Brazil-specific bans, which Brazilian officials say should expand the range of Brazilian beef and pork products eligible for sale to China.
Summary: China has lifted FMD-related restrictions on northern Brazil and now recognises the entire country as free of foot-and-mouth disease, a change that could expand Brazilian beef and pork exports to China after protracted negotiations and recent diplomatic visits.