China lifts coronavirus-related bans on two JBS meat plants – Reuters

JBS has announced that China has lifted pandemic-related bans imposed in 2020 on imports from two of its meat plants, according to Reuters.

Located in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, both plants saw outbreaks of Covid-19 among employees last year.

China suspended imports from the JBS facilities in Três Passos and Passo Fundo – which produce pork and chicken products respectively – along with a number of other Brazilian meat plants, over virus concerns.

The lifting of the bans has raised the number of JBS plants in the country that are authorised to sell meat to China to 25, JBS said in a statement cited by Reuters.

The meatpacker added that none of its other Brazilian plants are currently restricted by China, the biggest buyer of Brazil’s meat exports.

An investigation by Reporter Brasil recently found JBS to be among six Brazilian meatpacker firms that have bought cattle from farms that use slave labour.