China imposed a ban on the import of cattle and related products from the United States Thursday as a temporary measure against the possible spread of mad cow disease to the country.

Milk, dairy products, hide and photographic gelatin are not included in the list of goods to be embargoed, according to an urgent circular jointly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

The circular was issued following the report of a suspected case of mad cow disease in the State of Washington, the United States, earlier this week.

The circular urges the border inspection and animal quarantine departments at all levels to take strict inspection measures according to related laws and regulations to prevent mad cow disease spreading into China.

It also asks the animal quarantine departments to take immediate measures to intensify monitoring of cattle (including embryos) imported from the United States in recent years and their offspring (including crossbred calves).

These departments are required to report without delay any abnormal case to the ministry and administration once it is found, and the sample of any suspected case must be sent to designated laboratories of the ministry or administration for definite confirmation.

The ban will last until the United States "takes measures to assuage concerns about the safety of its beef and beef products," an official at the quarantine bureau of China's Ministry of Agriculture said.

The Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai, which uses imported beef from the United States, said yesterday it will stop using US beef for the moment and carry out strict examination of both overseas and domestic meat.

The hotel will use beef from Australia or Japan for the time being.

"All our meats are supplied by appointed suppliers. These suppliers are licensed and the meat will go through all the government hygiene inspection procedures prior to being sent to us," said Hilda Looi, the hotel's public relations director.

(Shanghai Daily December 26, 2003)