British farmers can resume exports of live pigs to China after a gap of five years.
Chinese import restrictions had prevented Britain exporting pigs and pig products to the country since 2000. Following Defra's completion of detailed technical questionnaires about the UK's animal health status, the Chinese authorities recognised the UK's freedom from classical swine fever in July 2005.
Further lobbying from Defra, the livestock industry and the British Embassy in Beijing has now secured an agreed health certificate for exports of live pigs to China. This is an important step towards the more lucrative pig meat exports market for UK industry and is another example of the strengthening UK/China relationship.
Lord Bach, Minister for Sustainable Farming and Food, said: "I am delighted that working in partnership with the UK industry we have managed to open this important and potentially valuable export market with China."
