afrol News, 7 October - Senegal has become the latest African country to ban imports of Chinese milk, with officials describing the move as a "preventive measure to keep tainted products" from being used by citizens.

Senegalese minister of animal husbandry, Ms Oumou Khairy Gueye Seck, told journalists that the government "will not wait for this milk to arrive in Senegal and react."

The ban, signed by all ministers of health and commerce in Senegal, remains in full force, Seck said.

Though Senegal is yet to import any Chinese milk product, Ms Seck said it was necessary to take the measure ahead of any future danger.

A number of countries worldwide, including Tanzania, have banned Chinese milk products after a milk formula containing the industrial chemical melanine was found in milk products resulting to the killing of four children and hospitalisation of more than 50,000 others in September this year.

As part of its control mechanisms, Senegal will create committees tasked with monitoring all its borders.

Since president Abdoulaye Wade came to power in 2000, China has been one of the biggest trading partners to Senegal, especially in the area of textile and electronic products.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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