Cattle Australia has welcomed China’s reinstatement of export approvals for five out of seven Australian beef export processing plants, which have been suspended from supplying product to China since 2020.
Cattle Australia Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ivar Bisseling, said industry advocacy groups such as the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) and the Federal Government should be applauded for tirelessly advocating for the lifting of the suspensions.
“AMIC and the beef production supply chain peak industry bodies, in CA and the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA), have worked tirelessly over the past four years, advocating on behalf of the beef industry and lobbying to Ministers of three different agencies, including two different Trade Ministers, two Secretaries and three Department Secretaries,” Mr Bisseling said.
“It has been a long haul, and the job isn’t finished yet, but this step by China to reinstate these facilities is a great outcome for the processing companies involved, the beef producers and lot feeders who supply them, and the entire Australian red meat supply chain.
“We appreciate the efforts of Australian Government Ministers over the past four years to engage with their Chinese counterparts on this matter, and acknowledge the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to work with industry to resolve the suspensions on the remaining two exporters.
“It is the role of Governments to open markets for Australian products, not close them, and to develop supply chains in conjunction with industry, and this is a great example of industry and Government positively collaborating to achieve a tremendous outcome with an important international customer.
“We look forward to all establishments soon being able to export beef to China without restriction, and the resumption of full and unfettered trade with one of our key trading partners. This positive step today creates the opportunity to open new avenues of access to the Chinese market, for not just the beef industry but Australian agriculture as a whole.”
-Cattle Australia