After the 13-year ban on imports of beef from the US, China has decided to get American beef products again.

In 2003, China stopped importing most US beef products because of the mad cow disease scare, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, according to Wall Street Journal.

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At that time, China's imports of beef amounted to $15 million (or 12,000 tons), including $10 million from the United States. 

However, lifting the ban has some restrictions. Chinese government will only purchase beef meat less than 30 months of age and US exports will have to comply with China's traceability and quarantine rules.

The US Meat Export Federation called the announcement as an essential first step from China.

“I welcome the announcement from China's Ministry of Agriculture that it has lifted its ban on US beef following a recently concluded review of the US supply system," US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. "This announcement is a critical first step to restore market access for USbeef and beef products."

"We look forward to prompt engagement by the relevant authorities for further technical discussions on the specific conditions that will allow trade to resume," Visack added.

The announcement came after years of delays and years after China said in 2006 that imports of some beef products would already resume. It can be recalled that American producers and trade officials expected restrictions to be lifted.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the decision is a sign that Beijing wants to improve commercial ties with the US. 

According to US Meat Export Federation, China is the world's second biggest beef buyer. Its meat imports increased around 10 times between 2010 and 2015, which was attributed to the increasing capacity of the middle class to buy as they get richer and local farmers' incapacity to keep up with the demand.

In the meantime, China still needs to negotiate with the USDA about the conditions that will apply to US beef exports entering the market, South China Morning Post reported.

China's agriculture ministry, however, has not divulged yet as to when the US beef imports will start again. 

Tagschina, U.S. Beef, China 13-year ban U.S. Beef, China's Ministry of Agriculture, U.S. Meat Export Federation, beef meat, meat import, China US Beef Imports