Beijing, July 15 - Chinese importers of fresh milk, milk powder and whey will have to apply for import permits from the commerce ministry from August, a move to monitor rising imports after the domestic industry was hit by a tainted milk scandal last year.
Chinese buyers of dairy products would also have to report their cargoes to the ministry's chamber of commerce twice a month, the ministry said in a statement posted on its website (www.mofcom.gov.cn).
Milk powder imports surged 156.6 percent to 107,200 tonnes in the first five months of this year, mainly from Australia and New Zealand as many consumers switched to imported brands after last year's tainted milk scandal resulted in hte deaths of at least six children, according to figures from China's Dairy Association.
Melamine, a chemical intermediate product, was found in many domestic dairy products last year, making tens of thousands of children sick. China has since tightened regulations aimed at ensuring the quality of dairy products.