Question Period Note: China’s COVID-19 Measures

How has China’s COVID-19 measures affected imported foods from Canada’s fish and seafood industry?
• China’s COVID-19 related import measures on food products affect frozen or chilled meat, fish and seafood. Those measures do not apply to live products, including lobster.
• The Government of Canada (led by Canadian Food Inspection Agency/Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) is committed to working with industry to manage China’s requests to maintain access. DFO continues to engage with federal partners to support them, as necessary.

China’s requirements on food imports during COVID-19

• Since mid-June, 2020, China has imposed several COVID-19 related import measures on food products from all trading partners, including suspensions of imports from establishments where there have been COVID-19 outbreaks among workers. The measures have affected frozen or chilled meat, fish and seafood , on the theory that chilled food or food packaging may be a source of transmission of the virus.
• These measures are contrary to guidance issued by the World Health Organization (WHO)/Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that there is currently no evidence that food or food packaging is a likely source or route of transmission of COVID-19.
• On November 18, 2020, China Customs requested that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency revise the existing bilateral export certificate for frozen and chilled fish and seafood with new requirements related to China’s concerns on COVID-19 and the food safety of cold chain products, including requirements on traceability and vessel registration. These measures were to be effective January 1, 2021, but the General Administration of the Peoples Republic of China chose to allow Canadian imports to continue under the existing certification process while they negotiate with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on a new export certificate reflecting some or all of the new requirements.
• AAFC/CFIA work with industry on the import measures has been well-received by the Canadian fish and seafood industry in order to maintain access. DFO continues to engage with federal partners to support them, as necessary.

China Fish and Seafood Market
• Canada’s fish and seafood exports to China (Canada’s second largest export destination by value after the United States) were valued at $1.31 billion in 2019, accounting for 18 per cent of total Canadian fish and seafood exports by value. Top species exported to China were lobster ($509M), crab ($266M) and shrimp ($186M).

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