Exporters of bovine blood products may soon expect relaxed import requirements for bringing serum and other blood derivatives into China. On June 25. China published Joint Announcement No. 67, 2014 of AQSIQ and MOA on lifting the ban on bovine blood products from BSE infected areas (currently available only in Chinese) which translates as follows:
"AQSIQ and Ministry of Agriculture announcement with regards to lifting the ban on import of bovine blood products from BSE infectedareas
According to relevant Chinese laws and regulations, OIE recommendation and risk assessment results , the ban on import of bovine blood products from BSE Epidemic areas is lifted from now on (prior to blood collection animals must not have been subjected to cranial cavity injection of compressed air or spinal cord pithing) f. The regulation on bovine blood products in Announcement No. 143 of 2001 issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and AQSIQ is concurrently repealed. Imported bovine blood products must comply with the laws and regulations of China."
This is a huge step ahead towards opening up the Chinese market to serum from countries like USA, Mexico or Canada (formerly considered BSE regions). Earlier this year China had started the process of approving slaughter plants in Mexico and USA in order to allow imports of all types of bovine meat. For a very long time bovine serum users in China have been facing supply shortages and high prices due to restrictive import regulations. Now this situation is likely to change.
Of course all other entry requirements for bovine blood products remain in force. Consult an expert in order to ensure a smooth importation of your serum into China. Contact us with further inquiries.
