The Chinese Embassy said Tuesday it asked Canada to suspend all meat exports after Chinese customs inspectors detected residue from a feed additive that is restricted in China in a batch of Canadian pork products.

A subsequent investigation found forged veterinary health certificates attached to the batch.

China’s sudden ban on Canadian beef and pork imports “will create a huge financial loss” for the sector that counts the Asian country among its top five international markets, says an industry
group.

The Canadian government is seeking clarification on why beef products have also been suspended since the falsified certificates were for a pork product.