Australian beef hit with another China trade strike
Australia’s oldest family-owned meat processor has been hit with a new trade suspension by China, days after the Morrison government rejected a $600 million Chinese bid for Lion Dairy and Drinks.
China’s customs department suspended exports from John Dee on Wednesday after it said it found the banned chemical chloramphenicol, used in the treatment of bacterial infections in dogs and cats, in pieces of sirloin at Chinese ports.
“The defective products were destroyed and were not allowed to enter the country,” it said in a statement published on Friday morning.
“In order to ensure the safety of imported meat products, customs has officially notified Australia to suspend the export of the company to China, and requires Australia to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the relevant company within 45 days and provide feedback to the Chinese side.”
Four Australian meat establishments – two Queensland abattoirs owned by Australia’s largest meat processor, JBS, as well as Kilcoy Pastoral Company near Brisbane and Northern Co-operative Meat Company at Casino, NSW – were suspended in May over labelling and health certificate requirements. John Dee was contacted for comment.
By Eryk Bagshaw