South Africa Suspends All Beef Exports to China

Reason for Suspension: Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in South Africa
According to a previous report by China News Service, the South African Department of Agriculture provided an update on Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), stating that outbreaks are ongoing in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces. The department is implementing enhanced control measures to curb virus transmission.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reported that 165 FMD outbreaks have occurred in KwaZulu-Natal Province: 18 contained, 147 ongoing. In Eastern Cape Province, 40 outbreaks have been reported: 1 contained, 39 ongoing. Additionally, outbreaks were confirmed in Bergville.
In addition to suspending imports from three South African beef enterprises, the General Administration of Customs (GACC) announced two further measures on May 7:

1. Issued a Warning Notice titled Notice from the GACC Department of Animal and Plant Inspection on Preventing the Introduction of Foot-and-Mouth Disease from South Africa.
2. Updated the List of Animals and Products Prohibited from Entering from Countries/Regions with Animal Epidemics:
   • For South Africa, the restricted category "Even-toed Ungulates and Related Products" now lists the disease as "Foot-and-Mouth Disease" (previously "Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Regionalized)").