Canada to resume tallow exports to China

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao have cleared the way for the resumption of Canadian tallow exports to China following an absence of nearly a decade. The deal was one of a number concluded Wednesday, the first full day of a three-day trade mission to China.

In 2002, the last year Canada exported tallow to China, the trade was worth $31 million and was the top export market for Canadian industrial tallow, says a news release from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. Tallow is used in soaps, cosmetics, waxes, biodiesel, and lubricants. Since then, China’s global imports of tallow have grown to more than $400 million annually. The Canadian industry expects exports of Canadian beef and tallow to exceed $110 million once full market access is achieved, the news release said.

The protocol for exports of boneless beef from cattle under 30 months of age has already been established and Wednesday’s announcement allows for the immediate access to the Chinese beef tallow market by Canadian processors.
 
The Association’s news release said work will continue to expand the list of Canadian facilities eligible to export beef to China and then add bone-in beef products and eventually beef from cattle over 30 months of age in accordance with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) science-based rules for trade. In 2007, the OIE officially categorized Canada as a controlled risk country for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), allowing for the safe trade in all beef and cattle under specified conditions, which Canada meets.

A Canada-China investment protection deal was also agreed Wednesday. BF