New Pork Processing Regulations to Modernise Industry

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Latest Pig Industry News

Friday, June 06, 2008

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New Pork Processing Regulations to Modernise Industry

CHINA - Zhongpin Inc., China's leading meat and food processing company, has announced that the Chinese government has issued new regulations designed to promote the modernisation of the pork processing industry.

Under the new regulations, effective August 1, 2008, hogs can only be slaughtered by certified processors. In order to become certified, processors must meet national standards regarding abattoir facilities and equipment, water quality, environmental protection and inspection and quarantine. Certified facilities must have an animal epidemic prevention certificate, and separate equipment and areas for pollution-free treatment of ill hogs. In addition, abattoir technicians must have legal health certificates and inspectors must pass a pork product quality inspection examination. Those processors that do not currently meet the new regulations must either become compliant or cease processing pork, with certain exceptions for farmers in remote and rural areas. The new regulations also prevent local governments from restricting the sale of hog products from quarantined and certified facilities outside of the local market.

Zhongpin currently meets or exceeds all requirements under the new regulations. In 2002, Zhongpin was awarded ISO 9001 certification for its abattoirs and pork production operations by the International Organization of Standardization. The company's production lines have passed Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP) in China. In addition, the company maintains all required pork production licenses and certificates from the relevant central and local governments.

"These new standards underscore the Chinese government's efforts to modernize the pork processing industry and encourage competition in local markets," said Mr. Xianfu Zhu, CEO of Zhongpin. "As all of our facilities already meet the stringent requirements of international markets, we view this as an opportunity to increase market share, especially in second- and third-tier cities that have not previously been supplied with high-quality chilled pork."

ThePigSite News Desk