Safeguard Investigation into Imported Beef Launched

The investigation comes in response to an application submitted by the China Animal Agriculture Association and nine industry associations from major beef-producing regions, which claim that the sharp increase in beef imports has greatly impacted the domestic industry. According to the application, the import volume of the product under investigation grew 106.28 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019.　

A safeguard investigation is allowed by the WTO to protect the legitimate rights and interests of domestic industries. Different from the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, the safeguard investigation, according to the Ministry of Commerce, does not target any specific country or region, nor does it differentiate products based on origin.　

The investigation will examine bovine meat imported from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2024 and is expected to give a conclusion within eight months, although it may be extended under special circumstances, Xinhua News Agency reported.