Maintaining Sales Opportunities: China Food-Grade Dairy Certificate Situation
May 4, 2010
Maintaining Sales Opportunities: China Food-Grade Dairy Certificate Situation
Many NMPF members expressed concern over the April 22nd announcement by China that it planned to stop accepting the current U.S. dairy health certificate for food-grade shipments as of May 1. Sales to China are considerable, and future opportunities for making further inroads for our cheese and dairy ingredients there are even larger.
We were happy to receive confirmation last week that China has granted a 30-day delay in its plans, and therefore will continue accepting the current U.S. dairy health certificate until June 1. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service is seeking clarity on whether product shipped prior to June 1 but arriving after the 1st will also be permitted entry using the current U.S. certificate.
NMPF will continue to work with USDEC on this issue, as we work to ensure that technical engagement is given the appropriate degree of priority required to achieve resolution and agreement on a new certificate by June 1.
