There has been a re-occurrence of earlier China market access problems for Australian expoerters, relating to export certificate clearance.

Reports circulated last week of consignments being held up in China due to issues with the current Health Certificate, following similar problems in April.

This time the issues revolve around a typographical error that has been in existence on documentation for some years, and which was part of a certificate originally approved by Chinese authorities.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries issued an advice this week that exporters were experiencing delays in clearance in a number of Chinese ports. An update from Beijing on Tuesday suggested that product was moving again at most ports, although the problem itself may yet to be resolved.

DAFF says it will continue to issue Health Certificates for meat for export to China upon request by exporters, however, it advised that exporters should note there may still be risks associated with shipping to China at this time.

New Zealand is also seeking clarification from China on stalled meat shipments, held on Chinese wharves at the end of last week, for the second time in as many months.

NZ Primary Industries officials said they only learned on Thursday last week that China had changed meat import rules and was now requiring signoff by a veterinarian directly linked to the last site meat was held before shipment.

A Chinese AQSIQ delegation was due in NZ this week for talks about meat access arrangements as well as a review of plants seeking Chinese accreditation.

The Australian Meat Industry Council continues to work closely with DAFF in trying to resolve the Australian issue.