The Australian government has confirmed that China\u2019s suspension of five meat processing establishments has been lifted with immediate effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eight beef processing facilities have now had suspensions lifted, while two facilities remain suspended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a joint statement from the Australian minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong; minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell; and minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt, the lifting of the suspension was announced today (Thursday, May 30).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watt previously said the suspensions were put in place in relation “to reports of COVID amongst the workforce”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also said that while Australia “got COVID under control, the Chinese authorities continued to suspend those establishments for COVID infections”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the joint statement, they stated the government will “continue to press China to remove the remaining trade impediments”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The progress so far “affirms the calm and consistent approach taken by the Albanese Labor government,” they added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trade impediments imposed by China prior to the May 2022 election resulted in a $20.6 billion reduction in exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China\u2019s progressive removal of impediments since then, including today\u2019s announcement, means less than AUD $1 billion worth of exports <\/a>remain impeded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Australian ministers said the lifting of impediments has already had “a real-world impact to the tune of more than AUD $11.5 billion for Australian barley, cotton, oaten hay, wine, coal, copper ores and timber logs”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They added the “Australian government’s approach is to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The joint statement announced: “Trade diversification is a key element of the government’s trade policy strategy. The government will continue to support Australian businesses to sell their world-class products on the global stage.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n In December 2023, China\u2019s Customs agency (GACC) announced trade-related suspensions were lifted for three of the largest Australian meat export establishments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The suspensions were implemented in mid-2020 and early-2022.<\/p>\n\n\n