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China lifts import ban on mouldy cheese after EU lobbying
Published on: 2017-10-23
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030China has lifted a ban on imports of mould-ripened cheese after lobbying from the EU, causing jubilation amongst the country’s mostly expatriate consumers of Brie, Camembert and Roquefort.
 

The restrictions on mould-ripened varieties began in Shanghai in late July before spreading to other cities. They also ruled out imports of Italian Gorgonzola, apparently on the grounds that bacteria in the products could be harmful to human health.

033The ban was lifted following meetings between European Commission staff and Chinese quarantine and food safety officials “allowing trade to resume immediately,” the EU’s China delegation said in a statement on Saturday.
 

The statement described China’s cheese standards as “outdated”, adding that the EU delegation and the French embassy in China would organise a seminar with Chinese cheese experts “thus limiting the risk of such events re-occurring in the future”.
 

China imported more than $400m of cheese last year, mostly varieties such as mozzarella destined for use in pizzas. Dislike of strongly flavoured varieties in China means mould-ripened cheese is mostly consumed by foreign residents.

034The repeal was welcomed by China-based cheese importers and restaurateurs. “Although this should never have happened . . . we are very happy,” said Axel Moreaux, who operates five French restaurants in Beijing and Shanghai.
 

Others saluted the efforts of diplomats. “I would like to congratulate the French embassy in China, as well as Great Britain’s, for their success,” Shanghai-based importer Cheese Republic said in an online post.
 

Zhi Shuping, the head of China’s top quarantine agency, denied the existence of a nationwide ban after the EU delegation publicly complained about it in September.

032Importers said that Beijing and Shanghai, China’s two main importing cities of mould-ripened cheese, had introduced a ban, but some smaller cities did not do so, allowing some imports to continue with increased transport costs.
 

“It’s great, it’s result of a struggle,” said Han Jin, the general manager of Shanghai Roria, a food import company, adding that importers were still confirming the situation with quarantine officials. “We’ve heard the news from the EU, but to be honest as of now I don’t think anyone has dared to try to importing,” Mr Han said.
 

The cheese restrictions were among several trade disputes between the EU and China. Most recently the European Commission has launched an investigation into the alleged dumping of Chinese e-bikes, according to an official notice last week.

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