China Bans Meat Exports from U.S. West Coast Facility

China has banned meat exports from a West Coast cold storage facility near the Port of Oakland after traces of the feed additive ractopamine were found in beef shipments.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service said that Chinese customs workers detected the feed additive that’s banned by more than 150 countries. Agriculture Dive says the move is creating significant obstacles at an important trade gateway to Asia. China suspended those exports out of Cool Port Oakland on May 27.

The ban on Cool Port Oakland has disrupted operations for meat exporters as far away as the Midwest. Those export companies rely on the facility to transfer their freight from rail to ocean before it ships out of the Oakland port.

“China’s suspension of this facility has caused disruption for beef, pork, and poultry exports,” says Joe Schuele of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. “Exporters must use other Bay Area facilities.”

(From the National Association of Farm Broadcasters)