China preventing the export of Italian pork
18.1.2021
Question for written answer E-000250/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Elena Lizzi (ID)
In December 2020, the EU allocated EUR 3.6 million in funding to OPAS to promote pork in China over the next 3 years. On 3 January 2021, the Chinese authorities carried out customs checks on two containers of frozen packaged Italian meat, claiming that it had tested positive to COVID, without involving OPAS in their tests. OPAS containers are sold to Cofco, the leading meat import company in China. OPAS is planning to ship another 40 containers of frozen pork worth EUR 2.5 million to China in the coming weeks, but the Chinese authorities are threatening to prevent OPAS from exporting Italian meat and to destroy the goods. The problem is not only an Italian one, but is apparently affecting 28 European companies. If, as the Commission replied to question E-000972/2020, there is no evidence that any animals or animal products pose a risk to public health due to COVID-19, can the Commission answer the following questions:
- 1.Is China, with this blockade, in breach of World Health Organisation rules?
- 2.In taking this action, is China complying with the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment?
- 3.What measures will the Commission take to prevent China from blocking imports of safe pork?