Fear the invasive species

China's heightened concerns about invasive species are adding more red tape and record-keeping requirements to the import process. A new set of requirements for soybean shipments probably contributed to reported delays in customs clearance over the past 6 months. 

On July 22, 2023 China customs announced that each port of entry will conduct a 3-year campaign to crack down on invasive species in imported cargoes and smuggling. According to the announcement growth in international trade has resulted in a growing number of invasive species entering the country, presenting a growing risk. In the first half of 2023 authorities said they intercepted 599 species of nonnative animals and plants, including giant centipedes, savage harvest ants, and spotted salamanders, and "exotic pets" brought in by criminal gangs. Problems include illegal mailing of seeds, plants hidden in shipments of toys, and smuggled tiger bones. 

More than 20 years ago, scientists from China's Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Ministry of Environmental Protection wrote in the Chinese journal Diversity Science that "impacts of biological invasions are becoming more serious problems with rising trade, transportation, travel, and ecological tourism." The scientists noted that species could be brought in with good intentions--citing introduction of water hyacinth and alligator weed as pig feed--but later have disastrous consequences. They noted that introduction of weeds and pests lead to sustained use of pesticides and speculated that an alien species invasion could become a "big bomb" for Chinese agriculture.

According to a report this month on Fujian Province's work on a national survey of invasive species, "The diffusion pathways of invasive alien species are diverse and concealed, and most invasive species can find suitable living environments in the country."

In October 2020 China issued a "Biosecurity Law". State media explained that this law added so-called "national door" biosecurity to the growing list of national security concerns (e.g. food, energy, information security and social stability).

China's Ministries of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment, and the Administration of Customs are charged with implementing regulations on control of invasive species that took effect May 31, 2022.

In January 2023, those four Ministries issued a list of key invasive species that included 34 plants, 13 insects including the American white moth and leafminer, 4 plant pathogenic organisms, a nematode, 3 fish species, American bullfrogs, snapping turtles, and a red-eared turtle. 

This year a multi-year census of invasive species is being conducted. A series of meetings have been held around the country to raise awareness about the importance of preventing entry of particular pests and to discuss conduct of the invasive species census. 

Heightened attention to invasive species adds more layers of bureaucracy and inspection for exporters. In their explanation of the biosecurity law Customs officials explained they would implement 9 lines of biosecurity defense: tighten up quarantine access, conduct overseas pre-inspections, quarantine approvals, port inspections, laboratory testing, quarantine treatment, isolation and quarantine, limit imported materials to designated processing locations, and monitor epidemics. 

In early 2021 China's customs authorities began a video inspection campaign for foreign fruit suppliers and suspended access to China's market for 245 companies. 

In March 2023 customs authorities began a campaign to focus on imported soybeans as a potential vector for bringing invasive species into China. A detailed set of preventive measures have been adopted to inspect soybean shipments and track them as they move to storage and processing facilities inside China. Inspection and quarantine offices are instructed to develop annual inspection plans and check every importer annually or semi-annually. Inspections can be adjusted on the basis of a "risk analysis." 

Soybean imports must have a traceability and tracking plan that specifies the port of entry, dates and volumes of shipments, designated storage and processing facilities, and internal transportation plans.  Imported soybeans have to be stored in a facility surrounded by walls to ensure no contamination of surrounding from other storage and processing facilities. Companies must have the ability to purge invasive weeds or bacteria from shipments and burn or bury them. Transportation equipment has to be enclosed and measures must be taken to prevent leakage. Each shipment has to be tracked with an electronic form that passes from one customs office to the next as soybeans are transported to different locations. The form has to be sent back to the office at the point of entry for verification. Any company that fails to meet all the standards and procedures will lose their qualification to import soybeans.

Customs officials check a cargo of American soybeans for weed seeds and
other invasive species at a port in Liaoning Province during 2016.