Apologies if it has the pics and all Australian beef industry...

Apologies if it has the pics and all

Australian beef industry wins better access to lucrative Chinese market
ABC RURALUPDATED FRI MAR 24 12:06:11 EST 2017
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Australian beef offered for sale in a Chinese supermarket.

CPC
Australia's beef industry has been bolstered by China's decision to increase market access for chilled meat products.

The number of processors permitted to send chilled, or refrigerated and cryovaced beef cuts to China will more than triple, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced.

"Australian chilled beef exports to China are already worth $400 billion a year," Mr Turnbull said.

"And more companies will also be eligible to export frozen beef. Total beef exports, overall, are worth around a billion dollars a year," Mr Turnbull said.`

While the Chinese Free Trade Agreement has already reduced tariffs on Australian beef and improved market access, the chilled beef market has been a major sticking point.

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China suspended the trade in 2013, citing 'food safety' reasons but the sudden halt was believed to have been due to a disagreement over import protocols.

The joint statement between China and Australia means the number of meat processors permitted to export chilled beef to China will increase from 10 to 36, with another 15 expected to have pending approvals fast-tracked.

Chilled beef exports make up seven percent of the total volume of processed Australian beef sent to China, with frozen product accounting for the rest.

Mr Turnbull announced the agreement alongside visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Processors delighted with greater access
The beef sector described the agreement as a "huge win," saying South American countries have been squeezing Australian processors out of the frozen market in China.

The deal has been welcomed by processors who have been working for the past four years to gain better access to the Chinese market.

David Foote, managing director of one of Australia's largest privately-owned beef businesses, Australian Country Choice, said it was great news for the industry.

"It's something that's been wanting since August 2013 when its rights for chilled beef exports were taken away," Mr Foote said.

China is Australia's biggest market for agricultural exports, with the trade accounting for about a fifth of all products heading overseas.

Experts warn farmers need patience when tapping into Chinese trade[/paste:font]

Australians living in China say they are amazed at how slow businesses back home have been at embracing the Asian superpower.
Farmers are regularly told China's growing middle class has an insatiable appetite from Australia's "clean and green" products like dairy, meats, fruits and vegetables and beef is popular among wealthier consumers.

But the Australian Meat Industry Council stressed the announcement will not lead to an immediate spike in imports because Australia's national cattle herd is still at a record low.

The agreement does, however, give producers a big opportunity to capitalise when the herd rebuilds, most likely over the next four to five years.

POSTED FRI MAR 24 11:30:21 EST 2017