China rejects pork imports from N-America
China has rejected imports from Canadian and US pork processing plants because its products contain a feed additive. Industry insiders believe the move is in response to a North American crackdown on Chinese goods.
The shipment contained 42 metric tonnes of frozen pig parts – kidneys and pork chops – and was rejected in August, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency said.
Chinese authorities found residue of ractopamine, a growth stimulant, in the 18.4 metric tonnes of frozen pork kidneys from the US and 24 metric tonnes of frozen pork chops from Canada.
Increase lean meat
Jeanette Jones, spokeswoman for the Canadian Maple Leaf Foods, confirmed that pork shipments from the company’s facility in Brandon, Manitoba, to China have been suspended because the products contain ractopamine, used to increase lean meat in swine.
The Brandon plant is the only Canadian operation affected, Chinese authorities suspended imports from ten plants in the US. Three other Canadian facilities and 11 plants in the US are under investigation.
Trade action
“Industry certainly believes that this is a trade action that’s being launched against not only the Canadian industry, but the US,” Jones said.
Canada approved the use of ractopamine for some types of hogs in early 2006, while the additive was cleared in the US about seven years ago.
China has banned ractopamine since 2002.
Related websites:
• Maple Leaf
• Xinhua News Agency
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Chinese authorities found residue of ractopamine, a growth stimulant, in the 18.4 metric tonnes of frozen pork kidneys from the US and 24 metric tonnes of frozen pork chops from Canada.
Increase lean meat
Jeanette Jones, spokeswoman for the Canadian Maple Leaf Foods, confirmed that pork shipments from the company’s facility in Brandon, Manitoba, to China have been suspended because the products contain ractopamine, used to increase lean meat in swine.
The Brandon plant is the only Canadian operation affected, Chinese authorities suspended imports from ten plants in the US. Three other Canadian facilities and 11 plants in the US are under investigation.
Trade action
“Industry certainly believes that this is a trade action that’s being launched against not only the Canadian industry, but the US,” Jones said.
Canada approved the use of ractopamine for some types of hogs in early 2006, while the additive was cleared in the US about seven years ago.
China has banned ractopamine since 2002.
Related websites:
• Maple Leaf
• Xinhua News Agency
For the latest pig news, subscribe here
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