China has taken drastic measures to protect its domestic agricultural and food industries by banning the import of livestock products from several countries. The decision was made in response to reports of disease outbreaks, including foot-and-mouth disease, sheep pox, and goat pox, from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The ban affects a wide range of livestock, including sheep, goats, poultry, and even-toed ungulates, as well as both processed and unprocessed products. The countries affected by the ban include Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Somalia, Qatar, Tanzania, Eritrea, Palestine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, East Timor, and Germany.
China, as the world’s largest meat importer, is taking a cautious approach to prevent the spread of diseases that could pose risks to animal health and public safety. The country has a history of imposing similar restrictions in response to disease outbreaks and will continue to monitor global disease outbreaks, adjusting its import policies as needed.
Experts predict that China will remain vigilant in its efforts to protect its agricultural systems from disease threats, given the potential economic consequences. The ban is expected to disrupt global trade, particularly for countries that are major exporters of livestock products to China.
