APPROVALS have been granted for 17 additional Australian mutton, lamb and goatmeat export establishments to access the China market.

The outcome is a significant win for Australian sheep, lamb and goat processing and export businesses that will have benefits across the red meat supply chain, the Australian Meat Industry Council said.

The approvals published by the General Administration of Customs China included access for chilled and frozen sheep and goatmeat, and includes new access for ten establishments, and expanded access for new product categories for seven establishments.

The plants granted new access include Thomas Foods International Lobethal, Tasmanian Quality Meats at Cressy, Ararat Export Meats, Wagstaff Meats Cranbourne, MeatCo Australia Mildura, JBS Cobram, The Midfield Group Warrnambool, Woodwards Swan Hill, TFI Stawell and Gundagai Meat Processors.

Plants granted expanded access include Fletcher International Exports Dubbo, TFI Tamworth, JBS Brooklyn, Fletchers International WA, JBS Bordertown, Southern Meats Goulburn, WAMMCO Katanning.

While the news is positive for sheepmeat and goat processors, a long list of Australian export beef establishments seeking China access remain in limbo. Some of those applications date back years.

Speculation has already arisen that the latest approvals have been influenced by the growing tariff war between the United States and China.

The Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive Tim Ryan said the outcome was the result of years of sustained effort by government and industry and reflected the strength of the China-Australia bilateral relationship.

“AMIC has worked tirelessly to advocate for wider and improved access for Australian processors, via engagement with government as well as our industry partners in China,” he said.

“This is a fantastic and very welcome result for sheep and goat exporters and the entire sheep and goat industry supply chains. It is a great outcome not only for these companies which have received new approvals, but the clients they process for as well the thousands of farmers they support through the livestock they purchase.

“Australian meat processors and exporters are committed to providing consumers with reliable supply and the highest levels of assurance. This outcome builds on the work done in collaboration with Australian government regulators, particularly the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to provide the highest levels of assurance that China’s technical requirements are met.”

Industry and government had welcomed opportunities to demonstrate to China’s regulators that Australia has robust systems and quality assurance measures in place to reliably produce and export safe, quality meat and meat products to Chinese consumers, AMIC said in a statement.

“We welcome this important development and remain optimistic that dialogue and future approvals can continue to a point where all Australian meat processors operating under the Australian meat export system are able to access the Chinese market should they wish,” Mr Ryan said.

The Australian Meat Industry Council is the peak Industry body representing the post-farm gate meat industry, including processors, smallgoods manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors through to independent retail butchers and exporters.

Source: AMIC