China has removed the ban on imports of some U.S. beef products, opening up the trade for the first time since 2003.
The ban on imports of U.S. bone-in beef and boneless beef for livestock under 30 months has been removed, with immediate effect, according to a statement from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.
There are conditions attached – imports must follow requirements under China’s traceability, inspection and quarantine systems, it said.
China stopped imports of U.S. beef in 2003 after a case of mad cow disease was found in Washington state. The country is the world’s second-biggest beef importer. China is already the world’s biggest consumer of pork.