China has imposed a temporary ban on imports of British cheese following complaints from food inspectors on hygienic standards at an undisclosed UK dairy.
The Chinese officials, who are visited dairy plants, were reportedly dissatisfied with the maintenance, chemical storage, raw milk transport temperatures as well as air sanitization.
The inspectors have also insisted that all British dairies that export cheese to China must pass council inspections before the ban is lifted.
However, it was later confirmed that the unnamed diary does not export cheese to China.
Speaking about the development, farming minister George Eustice said British cheese is the best in the world and produced to the highest safety and quality standards, so it is disappointing that China have put a temporary block on cheese imports.
"Food inspectors will now visit all factories exporting cheese to China to demonstrate their high standards, so these restrictions can be lifted as soon as possible," the minister added.
Image: The Chinese inspectors have also insisted that all British dairies that export cheese to China must pass council inspections before the ban is lifted. Photo: courtesy of Dominic Morel.
