This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
On November 5, 2019, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada's beef and pork exports to China would resume, citing the efforts of the country's new ambassador to China, Dominic Barton, and the meat industry.
China had blocked beef and pork shipments from Canada in June 2019, alleging contamination and the use of bogus documents, claims disputed by Ottawa.
According to government data, China is Canada's third-largest market for beef and its fifth-largest for pork.
Trade and agriculture ministers Jim Carr and Marie-Claude Bibeau stated that Canada's foreign ministry and food inspection agency had engaged with China on the issue over the past few months.
"We will continue to work closely with beef and pork producers and processors in the coming days and weeks to ensure successful resumption of trade," the pair said in a joint statement.
China had asked Canada to investigate false veterinary health certificates attached to a batch of pork, while customs officials in the eastern city of Nanjing had found ractopamine in pork shipments.
The feed additive, which boosts the growth of animals, is widely used in the United States but banned in the European Union and China.
Canadian Meat Council president Chris White commented, "Our long-standing trade relationship with China is very important to both sides and this represents an important step for both countries," noting that the decision comes on the eve of an industry-led mission to China to work through any lingering customs and shipping issues.
