China bans import of cattle, beef from US

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 25, 2003

China bans import of cattle, beef from US

China Thursday imposed a ban on the import of cattle and related products from the United States as a temporary measure against possible spread of mad cow disease to the country.

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China Thursday imposed a ban on the import of cattle and related products from the United States as a temporary measure against possible spread of mad cow disease to the country.

Milk, milk products, hide and photographic gelatin are not included in the list of goods to be embargoed, according to an urgent circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

The circular was issued to the subordinate departments of the ministry and administration throughout the country, following the report of a suspected case of mad cow disease in the State of Washington, the United States, earlier this week.

The circular urges the border inspection and animal quarantine departments at all levels to take strict inspection measures according to related laws and regulations to prevent mad cow disease spreading into China.

It also asks the animal quarantine departments to take immediate measures to intensify monitoring of cattle (including embryos) imported from the United States in recent years and theiroffspring (including crossbred calves).

These departments are required to report without delay any abnormal case to the ministry and administration once it is found;and the sample of any suspected case must be sent to designated laboratories of the ministry or administration for a definite confirmation. (Xinhua)

Eight nations block American beef imports

At least eight nations around the world have suspended imports of US beef, after the discovery of the first known case of mad cow disease in the United States.

Japan, the world's top importer of U.S. beef, imposed an indefinite ban and planned to recall certain meat products already on the market.

South Korea halted customs inspections of U.S. beef and suspended sales for meat already on supermarket shelves.

Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia and South Africa followed suit.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government issued a temporary ban and Taiwan said U.S. beef could face a seven-year export ban.

The moves came after the U.S. government announced that a Holstein cow on a Washington State farm tested positive for mad cow disease, marking the disease's first suspected appearance in the United States.

US secretary of agriculture, Ann Veneman, says a sample from the suspect cow has been sent to Britain for tests, and it is too early to say whether it will be an isolated case.(CRI)

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