A Joint Statement with China will deliver important new market access for the red meat and live animal export industry and will promote food safety and security, Member for Barker Tony Pasin has said.

The Joint Statement is estimated to be worth in excess of $400 million per year for Australia’s meat industry.

Mr Pasin said the Joint Statement on Enhancing Inspection and Quarantine Cooperation will bring a range of benefits for Barker by allowing more exporters access to China and progressing new trade opportunities.

“The Deputy Prime Minister signed this Joint Statement with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, that will support our relationship with one of our most important trading partners,”

“China is Australia’s largest sheep meat market, worth $240 million in 2016, and is our fourth largest beef market worth $670 million in 2016,” Mr Pasin said.

“The Joint Statement will unlock a number of trade restrictions currently in place to support our regions’ meat and livestock export industries, by expanding the chilled meat trade, expanding the number of approved exporters, advancing access for tripe exports and other products to China.

“It will also promote a protocol for the export of Australian slaughter sheep and goats.

“This is great news for Barker as it will support our farmers and producers through new or expanded market access opportunities.

“It is also a great outcome for our Chinese counterparts and will support both countries’ focus on promoting food security and safety and ensuring continued access to safe, high quality and reliable produce.”

Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment the Hon Keith Pitt MP who visited Baker last week for business information seminars on trade has also welcomed the new market access that will result from the statement.

“Australia has seen a record 25 years of continual economic growth, the envy of many countries around the world.  A large part of this success has been the opening of trading opportunities while other countries were closing doors. The equation is simple; trade equals jobs,” said Minister Pitt.

 

Contact: Charlotte Edmunds – 8531 2466