Relations between the two nations are now once again being strained as China announced that it would no longer be accepting beef and pork imports from Canada. Local media reports revealed that Chinese customs authorities apparently found traces of banned beef additives in a batch of pork products that were sent to the country from Canada.
According to China, its investigation into the Canadian meat imports also found that over 188 health certificates connected to various shipments were forged. Investigators also allegedly found Ractopamine residues in one batch of meat shipment that was sent from Canada.
The findings of its investigation have led the country to temporarily suspend all beef and pork imports to ensure the safety of Chinese consumers.
In a statement made by the Chinese embassy in Canada, China announced that it has been forced to take preventive measures to protect the safety of Chinese consumers.
The statement also requested that the Canadian government suspend its issuance of certificates for meat exporters to China. The letter also asked the Canadian government to initiate its own measures to make sure that food exported to China is safe and sent in a more "responsible manner."
Canada is reportedly launching its own investigation into the matter. The country is trying to first find out if the faked health certificates came from domestic producers or from the companies receiving the goods in China.
Canada's international trade minister Jim Carr mentioned in an interview this week that his office is taking this matter very seriously, especially since there are forged certificates being circulated.
Carr explained that Canada's reputation is on the line in this matter as some entities are trying to use the Canadian brand to get their products into China.
China is one of the largest buyers of meat products from Canada. During the first quarter of this year, China bought around $236 million worth of pork and around $48 million worth of beef from Canada.
The latest move by China has been seen by some as being more politically motivated than anything else.
Earlier in the year, China also halted its imports of canola seeds from Canada, citing similar quality concerns. Relations between both nations recently soured following the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver.
The arrest of the daughter of Huawei's founder heavily strained diplomatic relations between the two nations. Meng has since filed a civil claim against Canada for breaching her civil rights. Meng is currently set to face extradition to the US.
