China lifts suspension on five Australian meat processing plants

The Australian government has confirmed that China’s suspension of five meat processing plants has been lifted with immediate effect.

The suspensions have now been lifted in eight beef processing plants, but the suspension remains in place in two plants.

The lifting of the suspension was announced today (Thursday 30 May) in a joint statement by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt.

Watt had previously stated that the suspensions were imposed in connection with “reports of COVID in the workforce.”

He also said that while Australia had “brought COVID under control, Chinese authorities continued to close facilities due to COVID infections.”

The joint statement said the government would “continue to urge China to remove remaining trade barriers.”

The progress so far “affirms the calm and consistent approach of the Albanese Labor government,” they added.

Trade barriers imposed by China ahead of the May 2022 elections led to a $20.6 billion drop in exports.

China’s gradual removal of barriers since then, including today’s announcement, means that exports worth less than A$1 billion remain hampered.

Australian ministers said the removal of barriers had already had “a concrete impact of over A$11.5 billion on Australian barley, cotton, oat hay, wine, coal, copper ore and timber”.

They added: “The Australian government’s approach is to engage with China where possible, disagree where necessary and stand up for our national interests.”

The joint statement said: “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 world stage.”

In December 2023, the Chinese Customs Administration (GACC) announced that trade-related suspensions for three of Australia’s largest meat exporters would be lifted.

The suspensions were implemented in mid-2020 and early 2022.