China lifts 16-year ban on Italian beef

Rome Dec 19 (IANS/AKI) China has removed a 16-year-long ban on Italian beef the country s Agriculture Ministry and quality control agency announced on Tuesday.

The announcement followed a meeting of the Italy-China Government Committee in Beijing chaired by Italy s Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Before Italian beef can return to China however the two countries must approve a protocol for the health and safety requirements for the export of beef which must be boneless and from animals aged less than 30 months the Italian Health Ministry said in a statement.

The Chinese Agriculture Ministry and its quality control authority also announced the lifting of a ban on Italian bovine semen imposed in 2012 due to the Schallenberg virus.

--IANS/AKI
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