USA

Contaminated soya beans from the US

Quarantine officers in Guangzhou detected plant destroying bacteria in some 57,000 tons of soyabeans imported from the USA on 8th July 2004. The soyabeans were destroyed to avoid the spread of the pathogen. It is reported this is the fifth shipment which had been seized and destroyed in Guangzhou since the beginning of 2003.

China recently imposed an import ban of soyabeans from Brazil when various shipments were found contaminated with pesticide and chemicals. Shipowners should be careful to verify the quality of soyabeans loaded in USA are suitable for export to China and ensure the charterers are financially sound to meet any financial losses arising from vessel's delays or import bans.