China bans cheese from UK

China has temporarily banned cheese imports from the UK after Chinese officials identified issues related to maintenance, air sanitation, raw milk transport temperatures and chemical storage at a single UK dairy. The ban will remain in place until all UK cheese plants exporting to China are audited by Chinese authorities. Chinese officials conducted inspections at dairies throughout the UK last month in advance of the implementation of new food safety legislation on 1 May 2014. According to the new regulations only dairy products manufactured at facilities approved by the Chinese Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) will be allowed into the country with effect from 1 May. The Irish government has welcomed the result of the audit with Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine stating, “It is an excellent result that Ireland has achieved 100% compliance with the Chinese requirements, and every company that applied for access has been accepted.” To read more click HERE.