China has lifted a five-year ban on pig and pork products from Belgium, initially imposed due to an African swine fever outbreak in 2018. The decision coincided with a meeting between Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. To export to China, Belgium's pig and pork products must adhere to inspection and quarantine standards, as specified in a joint statement by the General Administration of Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. This move is significant for Belgium, given China's status as the world's largest pig producer, and is based on a risk analysis. In contrast, China simultaneously banned the import of pigs, pig products, and wild boars from Bangladesh due to an African swine fever outbreak in Chittagong, emphasizing China's vigilant approach to managing disease risks in its food supply chain.
