SEVERAL Australian sheep and goat meat processors have been given new and/or expanded access to China under approvals by the country’s General Administration of Customs.

The Australian Meat industry Council said the approvals include access for chilled and frozen sheep and goat meat, including new access for ten establishments and expanded access for new product categories for seven works.

The plants granted new access to China 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.

AMIC said 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.

AMIC chief executive officer Tim Ryan said the outcome is the result of years of sustained effort by government and industry and reflects 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.

“This is a fantastic and very welcome result for sheep and goat exporters and the entire sheep and goat industry supply chains,” he said.

Mr Ryan said the access decision was a great outcome for the companies that have received new approvals, but also for the clients they process for and 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,” Mr Ryan said.

“Industry and government have 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.

“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.”

Sheep Producers Australia welcomes China access approvals

Sheep Producers Australia has welcomed China’s announcement to grant new and expanded Australian meat processor export access.

The 17 approvals, for sheepmeat, lamb and goat export processor establishments, was published by the General Administration of Customs China, and includes new access for 10 processors and expanded access for seven.

Sheep Producers Australia chief executive Bonnie Skinner welcomed the expanded access and said the Australian industry prided itself on its diversified global markets.

“Increasing market access for Australian sheep meat and lamb processing plants is great news for our entire sector – market diversity is the foundation of our industry’s resilience.

“Australian sheep meat has a diverse customer base, with access to more than 90 export markets across the world, and Australian produce is known for its high quality and consistency,” she said.

“This is a great indication of demand for Australian world-leading sheepmeat and lamb and it helps to underpin our industry’s sustainability.”

Ms Skinner said these new markets have been a work in progress.

“SPA has long advocated for expanded global sheep meat and lamb market access.

We’d like to commend the hard work of the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC), Australian government regulators and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to achieve this outcome,” she said.