China Bans Livestock from Nigeria, Other Countries over diseases spread

 China has announced a ban on the import of livestock products from Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, and several other countries due to concerns over the spread of animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, sheep and goat poxes.

This decision was made by the General Administration of Customs of China following reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) about disease outbreaks in these regions.

The restrictions applied to a wide range of livestock, including goats, sheep, poultry, and even-toed ungulates, zebras, rhinos, horses, etc. Also, processed and unprocessed animal products were affected by the ban. 

In addition to Nigeria, Ghana, and Egypt, other countries affected by the decision include Somalia, Qatar, Congo (DRC), Tanzania, East Timor, Eritrea, as well as several Asian nations like Palestine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, which had been dealing with outbreaks of sheep pox and goat pox.

China has also imposed a block on imports of even-toed ungulates and related products from Germany after a reported foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

As the world’s largest meat importer, China’s actions were seen as an effort to protect its domestic agricultural and food industries from potential threats such as foot-and-mouth diseases in particular that are known for spreading rapidly, and causing significant damages to livestock herds, presenting risks not only to animal health but also to public safety.

Chinese authorities have emphasized that the ban is critical for safeguarding the country's food security and maintaining consumer confidence in the agricultural sector. These measures are part of broader efforts to ensure that China’s livestock industry remains free from diseases that could disrupt both animal health and the national economy.

Although the bans are not expected to cause immediate shortages in China’s food supply, they will likely disrupt global trade, especially for countries that are major exporters of livestock products to China. The latest restrictions echo previous measures taken by China in response to disease outbreaks in other regions, reinforcing the country’s commitment to maintaining stringent biosecurity standards.

The General Administration of Customs has indicated that it will continue to monitor global disease developments and adjust import policies as necessary. Experts predict that China will remain vigilant in its efforts to prevent any disease outbreaks from affecting its agricultural systems, given the potentially severe economic consequences of failing to act swiftly.

Source- newsnow.com