China and Thailand Sign Bird’s Nest Agreement

After risk analysis and consultations, China’s CFDA and Thailand Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives signed the “Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine and Hygiene Requirements for the importation of edible Bird’s Nest in China from Thailand”.

The document regulates the access of already cleaned Thai white edible bird’s nest to the Chinese market (Thai agriculture standard TAS 6705-2014), also setting traceability methods and recall procedures. Thai authorities will be responsible for product harvest and transportation supervision. The agreement also states that such products should undergo quarantine inspection and obtain “Plant and Animal Quarantine permit” prior to their arrival in China, as well as certificate of origin, veterinarian credit and others.

The label should clearly indicate product name, company name, address and registration number, storage conditions and production date and any other information required by Chinese laws and regulations, both in English and Chinese Language.

So far, only three countries have been approved to export edible bird's nest to China. They are Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand (see the list of approved manufacturers here).