Danish meat wholesaler Danish Crown is still in discussions with the Chinese authorities about a possible resumption of Danish pork exports to China. These exports were halted at the request of China due to COVID-19 infections among personnel in the meat processing industry.
China claims that traces of coronavirus have been found on packaging and shipments of imported food products. The country's meat processing industry is urging exporters to tighten hygiene protocols before sending products to China.
International organizations and several exporting countries, however, state that China has not provided any evidence or laboratory tests to support these claims.
China has increased disinfection and virus testing on frozen products after finding the coronavirus on imported goods and packaging. These measures have driven up costs, disrupted trade, and irritated major exporters.
The semi-official industry organization proposed that exporters in COVID-19 affected countries disinfect the outer packaging of products and the inside of containers. The proposal came after some exporters, including JBS in Brazil, began taking measures such as extensive disinfection of products and storage locations, Gao said. Recently Brazil received a warning from the Chinese to intensify disinfection.
JBS said in a statement that it implemented new protocols in July, including disinfecting storage areas and the inside of containers used for shipping before and after loading.
"The Danish authorities are engaging in dialogue with China about what options exist to export to China," said Jens Hansen, spokesperson for pork exporter Danish Crown. "If it is a wish from the Chinese side to have shipments disinfected, then we will find a way to make that happen."