9 February 2012

2 minute read

The Chinese market for both Canadian beef and cattle was closed in May 2003 following Canada's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Following extensive technical negotiations, Canada and China reached an agreement in May 2011 which restored access for Canadian deboned beef derived from animals under thirty months of age.

The new Protocol Between the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Quarantine and Health Requirements for Industrial Beef Tallow to be Exported from Canada to China, signed on February 8, 2012, represents the next step of the 2010 Cooperative Arrangement. It stipulates conditions for access of Canadian tallow for industrial use in China and clears the way for the immediate access to the lucrative Chinese beef tallow market by Canadian processors for the first time in almost a decade.

In 2002, Canadian exports of tallow were worth more than $31 million, which made China the top export market for Canadian tallow. In 2010, China imported over $400 million in tallow from countries around the world.

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased with the resumption of Canadian beef tallow exports to China. CCA President Travis Toews accompanied Prime Minister Stephen Harper on this week’s official trade mission to China, where Harper and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao cleared the way for Canadian tallow exports.

"During our nine year absence, China’s global imports of tallow have grown to more than $400 million annually. The Canadian industry expects its renewed exports of tallow to outpace its previous performance and for the Chinese market for Canadian beef and tallow to exceed $110 million once full market access is achieved."

Tallow is used in soaps, cosmetics, waxes, biodiesel, and lubricants.

TheCattleSite News Desk