After more than two decades, Chinese authorities have recognized the entire territory of Brazil as free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which is expected to immediately reopen pork exports from Brazil to China.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture said “the recognition expands opportunities for exports of Brazilian beef and pork products to the Chinese market, such as offal and bone-in meat,” according to Brazilian news outlet Globoru. Prior to the authorization, only the state of Santa Catarina—which has seven plants authorized to export to China—held the FMD-free status, the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA) said. Now, the states of Rio Grande do Sul with eight plants, and Mato Grosso, with 1 plant, will be authorized immediately.
“The measure reinforces the high level of sanitary trust that exists between Brazil and China and creates even more favorable conditions for deepening trade relations between the two countries, especially at a time of growing global demand for safe food produced under high sanitary standards,” said ABPA President Ricardo Santin.
