The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday that it may levy provisional anti-dumping duties on pork and pig by-products imported from the European Union (EU) in accordance with the result of an ongoing anti-dumping investigation.

The Ministry launched the anti-dumping investigation into EU pork imports on June 17.

He Yadong, spokesperson for the Ministry, said on Thursday that China, in accordance with WTO rules and China's anti-dumping regulations, may take the provisional anti-dumping measures if the preliminary investigation shows that dumping is established and damage is caused to its domestic industry. 

The probe will look into certain pork and pig by-products originating from the EU from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. It will also investigate any damage done to related Chinese industries over the same period of time.

The probe is expected to end before June 17, 2025, but may be extended for half a year under special circumstances, according to the Ministry.