Media release
Tuesday 8 October 2002 - MVT122/2002
China's Improved Wool Quota Allocation to Continue
China's decision to extend a trial system for allocating its tariff
quota for imports of wool and wool tops for 2003, is good news for
wool producers, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said today.
"China is Australia's largest wool customer. Total wool exports
to China reached the historically high level of $1,319 million in
2001-02, a 10 per cent increase on the previous financial year," Mr
Vaile said.
"The first-come-first served system, trialed by China this year,
means Australian wool exporters with valid supply contracts to China
automatically get a share of the quota.
"The new system is a significant improvement over previous import
arrangements, and its introduction earlier this year was welcomed
by Australian industry."
The new tariff quota system and the increasing size of the tariff
quota quantities reflect the considerable efforts that the Government
has put into assisting China accede to the World Trade Organisation.
"The Government has been talking to the Chinese, on behalf of the
Australian wool industry, seeking an extension of the trial, and that
effort has clearly paid off.
"We continue to encourage China to improve import conditions for
wool, particularly industry concerns with China about the split in
tariff quota between wool for domestic use in China and wool for processing
and re-export, and statutory import inspection."
Mr Vaile said he had strongly encouraged China to make an early release
of the wool tariff quota for 2003.
Media Contact: Mark Croxford +61 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Friday, 05-Dec-2008 13:36:43 EST
