China seeks lifting of import ban on its powdered milk

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Doulot Akter Mala
The Chinese government has asked Bangladesh to withdraw the ban on import of powdered milk claiming that it has ensured quality by taking action against tainted milk producers.
The government last year had imposed ban on three Chinese brands - San Lu, Sun Care and Yashili - following reports of chemical contamination that caused four deaths in China.
The Chinese embassy in Dhaka recently wrote to the commerce ministry requesting for the withdrawal of the ban on the import of Chinese powdered milk.
In response, the commerce ministry held an inter-ministerial meeting Thursday with all stakeholders to review the decision.
Senior officials of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), ministries of health, industry, home and representatives of FBCCI (Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry) attended the meeting.
"We have sought recommendations from the health ministry for taking a decision on the issue. The commerce ministry had imposed the ban on the request of the health ministry," said a senior commerce ministry official.
The meeting was held to prepare the next action plan in this connection, he said.
"As per the existing protocol, the government has to review any request made by a foreign government," he added.
"As we give priority to public health, the government banned the item amid widespread concerns of local consumers," he said.
In the meeting, the commerce ministry also asked the BSTI to submit test report of Chinese powdered milk, the official said.
The Chinese government has been making the request to all the countries which have imposed ban on the import of their powdered milk, he said.
"We are considering the request and will soon draw a plan of action in this regard," he added.
China claimed that during the last one year it had strictly monitored production of powder milk. Simultaneously, it had also taken stern action against those involved in the production of contaminated milk products.
Last year, a number of children fell sick in China after consuming powdered milk contaminated with melamine.