Trade with China: Paving the way for beef from Germany
During his trip to the People's Republic of China, the Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, was able to make substantial progress in opening the Chinese market for German agricultural products: Federal Minister Özdemir and Minister Yu Jianhua from the Main Customs Administration of the People's Republic of China signed two joint declarations on the abolition of trade restrictions as a result of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) from Germany. Discussions are also expected to continue regarding the export of German pork from areas that are not affected by African swine fever (ASF). Federal Minister Cem Özdemir explains: "China is also an important trading partner in the agricultural sector. The path has now been paved for beef from Germany. It is a great success that after more than 20 years we have finally been able to remove the BSE trade restrictions. We will continue discussions on the export of pork. In our view, regionalization offers a good and secure basis for rules-based trade while respecting international standards."
Specifically, after many years of negotiations, a joint declaration was concluded for the export of German beef to lift the ban due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Germany has taken comprehensive measures against BSE and has been BSE-free for years. Since the BSE crisis of the early 2000s, exporting beef to China has not been possible. By signing the declaration, this trade restriction is lifted. On this basis, further steps can be taken to open the market.
Federal Minister Özdemir also campaigned in China Market opening for German pork, whose export to China has no longer been possible since African swine fever (ASF) appeared in Germany in 2020. In 2020, Germany exported 319.448 tons of fresh, chilled or frozen pork to China (plus slaughter offal, pork fat and fat). In 2023 it was only 739 tons. Germany has taken comprehensive measures to combat ASF. There are currently no cases of ASF in domestic pigs. The ASF occurrence in the wild boar population was also able to be limited to a small area through stringent control and prevention measures. Germany can therefore continue to guarantee the trade in safe and high-quality pork. Talks on the export of German pork are now to be continued with the Chinese side.
Federal Minister Özdemir also met – for the first time in person – his other Chinese counterpart Tang Renjian, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Federal Minister Özdemir spoke out in favor of focusing cooperation with China on transforming food systems and promoting sustainability aspects in order to protect global goods. In the future, the focus of German-Chinese project cooperation should be how food security can be reconciled with the protection of global biodiversity, the climate and animal health.
