EU Ban on Chinese Food 'Unacceptable'

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, January 28, 2002

EU Ban on Chinese Food 'Unacceptable'

Chinese foreign trade authorities have said the European Union Commission's ban on animal-based food products from China was "unacceptable" and might seriously affect bilateral trade between the two. China has urged that the problem be solved through negotiations.

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China was seriously concerned over a decision made by departments of the EU to fully ban animal-based food products fromChina, said Gao Yan, the spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC), on Sunday.

The ban is unfair and unreasonable

Gao said the decision, based on an investigative report, was unfair and unreasonable because it was made solely by the EU side, without the consideration of the opinions of the Chinese side.

"The report took a part for the whole and exaggerated the gravity of certain issues," she said.

Ban to harm trade ties

The decision has not only violated EU's rules of relevant procedures, but has also gone beyond the technical field, which was gravely unfair to China's trade sector and thus unacceptable, she added.

The spokeswoman warned that the ban might do serious harm to trade ties between China and the EU.

"As a member of the World Trade Organization, China will respond to the EU's act in accordance with WTO rules," she said.

China urges EU to withdraw the "wrong decision"

Gao urged the EU side to withdraw the "wrong decision" promptly in order to guarantee the smooth development of China-EU trade.

"The problem should be solved through negotiations between the two sides," she said.

EU's meat ban 'runs counter to rules' - MOFTEC

China expressed "serious concern" on Sunday about the European Union (EU) Commission's decision to ban poultry meat, rabbit meat and frozen shrimps and prawns from China.

"Without soliciting China's opinions, it is unjust and unreasonable to make such a decision unilaterally and based only on a research report," said Gao Yan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation (MOFTEC).

She accused the European Commission's action of running counter to its own procedure orders, saying it seriously affected China-EU trade relations.

"We urge the EU to lift this erroneous decision immediately to avoid lasting damage to the sound development of China-EU economic and trade relations," said Gao, noting China is committed to resolving problems through bilateral consultations.

Source from : China Daily

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