Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack welcomed the announcement, which he said follows a recently concluded review of the USA supply system by the ministry.
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In FY 2003, USA beef exports (excluding beef products) totaled $3.0 billion (0.9 million tons) to 112 countries.
The ban on imports of USA bone-in beef and boneless beef for livestock under 30 months has been removed, with conditions, effective immediately, according to a statement from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
American steak could soon be back on the menu in China after officials announced the lifting of a 13-year ban on imports of beef from the U.S.
Beef older than 30 months will still be banned by the Chinese and other approved cuts will have to adhere to China’s traceability and quarantine regulations.
“This announcement is a critical first step to restore market access for USA beef and beef products”, he said.
US meat producers are hoping to return to China with a big bang. True access to China’s beef market-consistent with science-based, worldwide standards for trade-remains a top priority for the United States. The U.S. also has very good beef. The governor will head to China on a trade mission this fall. Since January 2015, USDA has gained additional market access for US beef in 16 countries, including: Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Guatemala, Iraq, Lebanon, Macau, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Saint Lucia, Singapore, South Africa, Ukraine, Vietnam and Brazil.
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China was the second-largest importer of American agricultural products in the world a year ago, according to the US Department of Agriculture figures, having grown more than 200 percent in the past decade to reach a total of more than US$20 billion. Mexico is its largest export market, followed by Japan, South Korea and Canada. Rapidly rising demand for beef has been fueled by middle-class growth and has made China the fastest-growing beef market in the world.
