China Blocks Imports of Equine Animals From Nigeria

China prohibited the direct or indirect import of equine animals and related products from Nigeria in response to an outbreak of African horse sickness in the West African nation, China's General Administration of Customs announced, according to an unofficial translation. In December, Nigeria told the World Organization for Animal Health of an outbreak of African horse sickness involving 44 horses, six of which died. In addition to barring the import of equine animals, China's response includes returning or destroying all shipments of equine animals from Nigeria shipped after the publication of its restrictions; decontaminating all animal and plant waste unloaded from Nigeria's entry vessels; and destroying equine animals and related products from Nigeria intercepted by border inspection and other departments.