Brazil has won wider access to the world’s biggest beef market after China recognised the entire country as free of foot-and-mouth disease, though a new quota will still cap prices.
The decision was announced on Tuesday by China’s General Administration of Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and was communicated during Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira’s visit to Beijing.
After a risk analysis, Beijing lifted the restriction on northern Brazil and recognised the entire country as free of the disease, according to the Chinese notice. The measure was dated May 29 and made public on Tuesday.
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The ruling overturns Chinese decisions from 2002, 2005 and 2009. The last of those had treated only Santa Catarina and a group of other states as free of the disease.
The World Organisation for Animal Health certified Brazil as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination about a year ago, after the national herd spent 12 months without immunisation.
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