Romania to export sheepmeat to China

"Regarding the export of pork, the procedures are now finalised, and we will ... launch the first exports of pork from Romania," Dragnea told local news agency Agerpres. "As to beef exports, we have filed the finalised documents and veterinary certificates, and we are waiting for the Chinese authorities to respond."

As part of its sheepmeat trade plans, China is aiming to import about 500,000 head from Romania, according to the government official. Romania is currently completing its talks with China to launch the much-awaited cattle exports, with the first shipment of 8,000 live cattle expected to be delivered on the turn of June and July 2014, Dragnea said.

The latest initiative was announced by the Dragnea following a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Zhang Gaoli. The bilateral trade talks took place in Beijing in late March 2014.

The Romanian government official also said the Chinese government was willing to start the procedures for launching sheepmeat exports to the Chinese market with immediate effect. To make this happen, Beijing will be required to provide all the necessary analytical documents to Romania’s National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSV), which has the power the authorise such exports, according to Dragnea.

The plan follows the signing of two agreements by Bucharest and Beijing last year. In November 2013, the two governments agreed that China would import 500,000 head of cattle and three million pigs from Romania over a period of seven to 10 years.

Commenting on the deal during his visit to Romania last year, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the Chinese market could also absorb other types of meat exported from Romania, such as sheepmeat.

Under the plan, the first shipments of cattle to China are scheduled for this year.