China lifts ban on stinky cheese

Beijing Oct 23 (IANS) China has reversed an import ban on several types of soft and mould-ripened cheese including Roquefort Danish Blue Gorgonzola and Stilton the media reported on Monday.

The authorities imposed the ban in September because the strains of bacteria used to make the cheeses were not approved in China BBC reported.

Quarantine officials lifted the ban over the weekend after a meeting with European Union officials.

Imports of the temporarily-banned cheeses will resume immediately according to the authorities.

China s cheesemongers rejoiced at the news.

"We are very happy about the decision. I think it s a way for China to show they re really open-minded to selling foreign products and especially cheese " said Vincent Marion the co-founder of Shanghai-based Cheese Republic.

The online delivery service specialises in artisan cheeses and the ban affected more than half of the products the company sold.

--IANS
ksk/vm