The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) has welcomed China’s decision to reinstate export approvals for five out of seven Australian meat export processors that were suspended in 2020 due to technical reasons
The Australian Government has confirmed that China has immediately lifted the suspension of five meat processing establishments. Eight beef processing facilities have lifted their suspensions, while two remain suspended. Efforts are ongoing to urge China to remove the remaining trade impediments, including those affecting Australia’s rock lobster industry. The progress made so far demonstrates the calm and consistent approach the Albanese Labor Government takes.
Trade impediments imposed by China before the May 2022 election resulted in a $20.6 billion reduction in exports. However, China has progressively removed impediments since then, including today’s announcement, leaving less than $1 billion worth of exports still impeded.
The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) has welcomed China’s decision to reinstate export approvals for five out of seven Australian meat export processors suspended in 2020 due to technical reasons. This comes six months after three processors had their COVID-19 suspensions lifted. AMIC has continued to work tirelessly, advocating for lifting the remaining suspensions with the government and industry partners in China.
Patrick Hutchinson, CEO of AMIC, expressed satisfaction with these developments, stating, “After four years of advocacy and hard work on behalf of red meat exporters, we have finally achieved a fantastic result. The AMIC team has worked closely with Agricultural Minister Murray Watt, Trade Minister Don Farrell, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and our industry partners in China to have these suspensions lifted. This is a great outcome for these companies and the clients some of them process for and the thousands of farmers and feedlots they support through cattle purchase. As a matter of priority, we will continue working with the Federal Government and China to not only have the remaining two exporters’ suspensions lifted but also to restart new opportunities for other Australian red meat businesses waiting for access to the Chinese market.”
