Hong Kong cautious over British beef

- Published: 03 June, 2009

Authorities in Hong Kong have announced it will resume processing applications for British beef imports under a new phased approach.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) along with British officials recently reviewed arrangements for exporting frozen or chilled UK beef to Hong Kong, as the UK has not exported any frozen or chilled beef to Hong Kong since the BSE outbreak was detected in 1996.

In an initial stage of the scheme, only boneless cuts excluding offal from cattle less than 30 months old can be imported from the UK. Each consignment of boneless beef products will then have to have the CFS’ prior written permission and must be accompanied by a health certificate.

The CFS added it will closely monitor the situation and review the import requirements when necessary.