March 27, 2017

 

New trade deal boosts Aussie beef exports to China

 

 

A new trade agreement makes Australia the first and only country to gain full market access to China for chilled beef, giving beef exporters the prospect of an additional A$400 million (US$305.2 million) annually in revenues.

 

The agreement was one of several signed by Australia and China during the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last week, according to a report from The Australian Financial Review.

 

At present, only 11 firms are permitted to export chilled meat.

 

Under the agreement, approvals would be expedited for chilled meat export for all establishments that meet the chilled meat standard as verified by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, along with approvals for additional 15 Australian frozen meat establishments (11 integrated meat-processing facilities and four cold stores).

 

The two countries also signed an agreement on quarantine inspection and cooperation, which seeks to improve significantly two-way agricultural trade between Australia and China, particularly for Australia's meat exports.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said the deal would allow more meat and live animal exporters access to China.

 

In pursuit of expanded trade partnership

 

"The Coalition is committed to building on our record prices and record volume of trade with China. We won't ever rest on our laurels in pursuit of expanding Australia's trading partnerships," Joyce was quoted as saying.

 

The two countries also agreed to advance Australia's access for tripe exports to China and initiate trade in donkey meat and edible skins to China.

 

They would also establish a protocol for the export of Australian slaughter sheep and goats.

 

"China is already Australia's largest sheep meat market, worth A$240 million (US$183.14 million) in 2016, and is our fourth-largest beef market worth A$670 million (US$511.255 million) in the same year", Joyce said.

 

Joyce and his Chinese counterpart likewise signed a Salmon Statement of Intent to hasten negotiations on trade in salmon sourced from approved countries, processed in China and exported to Australia, according to The Australian Financial Review report.