Joint media release: China lifts suspensions on three export meat establishments

Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt

Overnight, China’s Customs agency (GACC) announced trade-related suspensions will be lifted for three of Australia’s largest meat export establishments.

The suspensions were implemented in mid-2020 and early-2022.
Products from the three establishments are now permitted to be exported to China, pending final administrative processes required by each side.

Eight meat export establishments remain suspended. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is working to resolve these technical impediments to trade.  

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell: 

“This is another positive step towards the stabilisation of our relationship with China. 

“I will continue to press for the re-entry into China of Australian live lobster, and those red meat establishments which remain suspended.

“I am confident the dialogue we have with China will present pathways for other restrictions to be removed, and more Australian produce reaching Chinese consumers.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt:

“This is very welcome news for Australian farmers, and meat processors.

“As our biggest trading partner, resuming normalised trade with China has been a win for our agricultural sector.”