The European Commission has lifted bans on exports from China into the European Union (EU) of shrimps, farmed fish, honey, royal jelly and rabbit meat, after Beijing improved its antibiotic controls in food production.
Brussels is insisting that consignments are monitored by Chinese food officials however, and are granted official certificates declaring these products comply with antibiotic residue rules prior to shipment.
However, Commission bans on pork, beef, poultry and dairy imports from China will stay because of widespread livestock illnesses in the country, such as foot-and-mouth disease. This could also be lifted in the future, however, with an EU food health inspection team visiting China this month.