China has suspended the importation of more Australian beef, this time from Meramist Pty Ltd, the sixth supplier to face such a move in a country that is one of China's main meat suppliers.
The latest supplier to be prevented from sending its beef to China has not received a reason for the suspension. Photo: 123RF
China made the decision yesterday but did not provide a reason.
It has already banned imports from five other Australian beef suppliers this year, citing reasons that have included issues with labelling and health certificates.
Australia's ties with China - its top trade partner - were already strained. The relationship has significantly deteriorated since Canberra called for an enquiry into the origins of the coronavirus.
China stopped receiving applications and registration for beef exports from the Meramist plant from 7 December, China's General Administration of Customs said in a notice on its website, without giving a reason.
Mike Eathorne, the general manager of Meramist, told the ABC last night he had only just received the news.
"I was advised five minutes ago and I have been given absolutely no reasons," he said, adding he could not comment further.
Meramist was one of several abattoirs named last year in an ABC 7.30 investigation involving the slaughter of racehorses. A former worker pleaded guilty to animal cruelty offences in July this year.
In May, China banned imports from four of Australia's largest meat processors citing issues with labelling and health certificates.
In August, it suspended imports from a fifth plant, Queensland abattoir John Dee.
As well as targeting beef, China has imposed prohibitive tariffs on Australian barley and wine, blocked imports of Australian lobsters and delayed the unloading of Australian coal.
China has also targeted Australian wines. Photo: AFP
The Australian wine industry has been among the hardest hit, with China last month imposing tariffs ranging from 107 to 200 percent on imports amid accusations Australian wines have been dumped in China.
That sparked a global campaign urging people to buy Australian wine.
The relationship has also been under pressure in the wake of a Chinese Foreign Ministry official posting an offensive Twitter post referencing alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has demanded an apology for the "repugnant" tweet, but one has not been forthcoming.
- Reuters / ABC