On a visit also designed to build co-operation on food safety controls, Lars Barfoed, Denmark's minister for family and consumer affairs, concluded negotiations with the Chinese food inspection authorities (AQSIQ) that will see them recognize a greater number of Danish slaughterhouses.

Speaking in Beijing, Barfoed said that the main purpose of the trip had been to gain better access for Danish pork to the Chinese market.

"It has been a great success. We have achieved what we came for," he told AP-foodtechnology.com.

China, the world's largest pork producer and consumer, currently accounts for only 2.3 per cent of Danish pig exports that last year reached 1.89 million tonnes. But it is seen as a market with significant potential, as the world's largest population becomes wealthier and spends more on meat.

Last year, per capita pork consumption reached 33 kilograms, higher than the world average, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

And European pork processors, battling low meat prices, are keen to develop new export markets. China is particularly attractive because certain parts of the pig carcass not valued in Europe can be worth more than the cuts considered to be prime in Europe. Indeed, the majority of Denmark's pig exports to China in 2005 were byproducts (40,466 tons compared with only 2,789 tons of cuts).

Previously few Danish slaughterhouses had been approved exporters to China.

"Now there is new recognition for all Danish slaughterhouses and coldstore warehouses," said Barfoed.

He added that good discussions on how pig byproducts should be treated for Chinese export should lead to expanded trade in pig stomach, feet and other parts that are much more popular in China than Denmark.

Pigmeat is one of Denmark's most important exports. Following the meeting in Beijing, the Danish delegation travelled to Inner Mongolia for the official opening of Arla's joint venture with Chinese dairy Mengniu.