Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 2/26/10

China has agreed to resume imports of Canadian pork, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced Thursday following recent negotiations recognizing standards of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), according to a new release by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Ritz and Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently concluded a trade mission to China. Ritz announced the deal during a visit to the OIE and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.

"When our Government works to open and expand markets for Canadian producers around the world we always point to the clear OIE consensus that Canadian pork and beef is safe," Ritz said. "We are pleased to continue our strong and respectful working relationship with China. Access to the Chinese market is excellent news for Canadian pork producers and underlines the importance of recognizing international science-based standards."

In spring of 2009, China suspended pork imports from H1N1-affected countries in the spring of 2009. In December, Harper successfully negotiated to have the ban lifted. Since then Canada has been working to develop supplementary certification requirements.

Canada sold some $45 million worth of pork to china in 2008. The two countries continue to discuss China's importation of Canadian live swine.

China announced last October that it would resume imports of U.S. pork following an H1N1-related ban, but Washington and Beijing are still working out the associated terms and conditions.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.