Media Release
Friday, 27 June 2003 - MVT47/2003
New Agreement with China Could Be Worth Hundreds of Millions
The signing of a new market access agreement with China this week should boost Australia’s beef, sheep and goat meat exports to China by hundreds of millions of dollars, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said today.
“Getting our market access rules with China clearly defined is potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars for our meat exporters,” Mr Vaile said.
The protocols signed in Beijing yesterday will result in virtually unrestricted access to the Chinese marketplace for Australian beef, sheep and goat meat. The agreement was made possible as a result of China’s new membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Australia will now begin negotiating a range of technical access arrangements with the world’s most populous nation.
“We are now getting the real trade benefits flowing from China’s WTO membership," Mr Vaile said.
In 2002, Australia exported around 22,000 tonnes of beef and sheep meat, valued at about $69 million. Until the signing of this agreement, Australia has only been able to export meat products to China in four categories:
- Products cooked and processed before entering the Chinese market
- Products processed in China for re-export
- Products intended for deluxe hotels
- Products intended for the personal use of diplomats
“Australia’s meat exporters can now get on the front foot and begin to make real inroads into the Chinese market,” Mr Vaile said.
Contact: Matthew Doman 02 6277 7420