Source: Ukragroconsult (Ukraine)
Imports of timber and soybeans from the United States have been halted by China following the discovery of pests and hazardous impurities. This announcement was made by the General Administration of Customs of China (GAC), with the ban taking effect immediately. The decision aligns with the nation’s Biosecurity Law and the international phytosanitary standards.
Specifically, recent inspections revealed the presence of quarantine pests, including bark beetles and whiskers, in the imported timber from the U.S. Chinese authorities stressed that this action is intended to stop harmful organisms from entering the country, thereby safeguarding both the agricultural and forestry industries. Additionally, environmental safety considerations played a role in this decision.
Moreover, China has revoked the export qualifications of three U.S. companies for soybeans. The affected companies include CHS Inc., Louis Dreyfus Company Grains Merchandising LLC, and EGT LLC. The cause for this suspension was the identification of ergot and specially coated soybean seeds in shipments from the U.S., which contravenes China’s food safety regulations and the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement.
Chinese customs officials underscored the necessity of this move to protect consumer health and confirm the safety of imported grains. There are concerns among experts that these new restrictions could heighten tensions in the already complicated trade relations between the two nations.