China clears Italian cheese for import

CHINA/ITALY – Italian cheeses have been cleared for export to China, according to Italy’s deputy minister for foreign trade Adlofo Urso.

It is thought Beijing gave the go-ahead in response to Italian support when China faced a number of food scares recently, as well as a trip made by Urso to the capital during the SARS scare.

“This is one of the last trade barriers to fall which blockaded our cheese producers from selling their much appreciated goods in the large market that is Asia,” said Urso.

“This ban existed for a long time and, up until yesterday, was motivated by the Chinese for health and hygiene reasons,” he added.