China has temporarily banned beef imports from six Australian meatworks, the Federal Government has confirmed.
Australia was made aware of the ban on Tuesday, and Trade Minister Steven Ciobo told that he intended to work closely and constructively with industry and China to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
The affected abattoirs are in Queensland and NSW, and include two facilities owned by Australia's largest meat processor JBS. Mr Ciobo said the ban related to Chinese concern about labelling non-compliance. There is no suggestion health or food safety issues are involved.
"This is obviously a very material situation," Mr Ciobo said.
"We've got, potentially, very significant amounts of trade involved in this and so it's a matter that I'm very mobilised on, my team, my office, as well as our embassy in China."
China has temporarily banned beef imports from six Australian meatworks, the Federal Government has confirmed.
