China Rejects Uruguayan Beef Shipment After Fluazuron Residue Detected — Uruguay Tightens Controls

China returns Uruguayan beef after fluazuron residue found

On Nov. 5, Chinese authorities rejected and returned two containers of Uruguayan beef after tests detected residues of fluazuron, an antiparasitic drug used to control cattle ticks. Uruguay's Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries says the contamination resulted from failures to respect required withdrawal periods — the minimum time that must pass between drug treatment and slaughter.

Officials noted that fluazuron requires at least a 42-day withdrawal period for residues to decline to acceptable levels. Shorter intervals between treatment and slaughter are the most likely cause of the compound appearing in the meat samples.

Shipments destroyed, no punitive sanctions yet

Livestock Minister Alfredo Fratti and Deputy Minister Matías Carámbula said the affected shipments were destroyed before reaching consumers and that Chinese authorities did not impose punitive sanctions. Nevertheless, Beijing informed Uruguay it will increase sampling of Uruguayan beef at Chinese ports by 80%.

Trade significance and figures

China is Uruguay's largest beef market, accounting for roughly 60% of its exports. In 2024 Uruguay exported 361,720 tonnes of beef within a total of 681,827 tonnes of meat products, generating $2.57 billion in revenue.

Measures announced by Uruguayan authorities

To prevent future rejections, Uruguay announced five immediate measures:

• Strengthen inspections at slaughterhouses and export plants, with special emphasis on detecting fluazuron residues.
• National training campaign on the responsible use of veterinary drugs and adherence to withdrawal periods.
• Increase sampling at processing plants by 20% to improve early detection.
• Harsher penalties — tougher financial and administrative sanctions for producers or professionals found responsible (fines up to $2,000 and potential temporary suspension of livestock deliveries for slaughter).
• National tick-control plan to be established as a state policy to reduce reliance on off-label or mistimed treatments.

Traceability and enforcement

Carámbula said Uruguay's livestock traceability system enabled authorities to quickly identify the farms that supplied the affected animals and to suspend their shipments while the investigation continues. He stressed that food-safety controls apply equally to products destined for export and the domestic market, and that any items with residue levels above permitted limits are destroyed before reaching consumers.

"In economic terms, it was not a major impact because only two containers were rejected. But if other cases appear with residues of these products, then it could certainly become complicated," Carámbula said.

So far, authorities say the episode has not inflicted significant economic damage, but it has unsettled the meat sector and prompted immediate government action and diplomatic communication: Uruguay has formally informed the Chinese ambassador in Montevideo and Chinese health authorities of the measures taken.