China bans livestock imports from multiple countries amid disease outbreaks

China has imposed a ban on importing sheep, goats, poultry, even-toed ungulates, and related products from several African, Asian, and European countries following outbreaks of livestock diseases, Reuters reported.

The General Administration of Customs announced the decision on January 21, citing reports from the World Health Organization on diseases such as sheep pox, goat pox, and foot-and-mouth disease.

The affected countries include Ghana, Somalia, Qatar, Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Tanzania, Egypt, Bulgaria, East Timor, and Eritrea. Imports from Palestine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh were also restricted due to sheep and goat pox outbreaks, while Germany faced a ban related to foot-and-mouth disease.

China, the world’s largest meat importer, stated that the measures apply to both processed and unprocessed products.