China has approved more beef imports from the UK and overseas to help tackle a protein crisis caused by the outbreak of African swine fever . The countries ' exports were initially approved last year and now 14 Irish and four UK suppliers have been added . China has also signed a £ 230 million ( $ 295 m ) five - year beef trade deal with the UK . The imports were the first approved since China imported UK beef after the mad cow crisis of the 1990s . China has also approved supplies from Brazil , although no changes in supplies from Australia have been requested .
China has approved more beef imports from the UK and Ireland to help tackle a protein crisis caused by the spread of African swine fever. The countries' exports were initially approved last year and now 14 Irish and four UK suppliers have been added. China has also signed a £230m ($295m) five-year beef trade deal with the UK. The imports were the first approved since China banned UK beef after the mad cow crisis of the 1990s. China has also approved supplies from Brazil, although no increase in supplies from Australia have been requested.