July 3 - The Rudd Government has announced another step forward in our agricultural trade with China, with the signing of an agreement set to further expand our dairy cattle exports.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced Australian and Chinese quarantine authorities had signed a new export protocol for breeding dairy cattle from Australia.
The new protocol eases quarantine restrictions by eliminating the need for Australian cattle to be tested for bovine tuberculosis and recognising our bluetongue virus zoning system.
China has also ended a ban on the export of Australian dairy cattle from within 100km of the nearest bovine ephemeral fever occurrence in the previous two years.
The agreement means dairy breeding cattle destined for China can now be sourced from more regions, particularly within northern Victoria and southern NSW.
It follows extensive discussions to resolve these issues with Chinese authorities and further expand this valuable export industry.
In particular, Biosecurity Australia worked hard over several years to obtain Chinese recognition of our bluetongue virus zoning system.
Some types of bluetongue in Australia do not pose a serious clinical animal health problem as the virus has never been reported in our commercial sheep flocks, cattle herds or other animal species.
The export of live dairy cattle provides an important option for farmers, particularly during difficult times when they choose to partially destock.
It is a source of revenue for farmers during the toughest times.
In 2008, China was Australia’s second most important market for dairy breeding cattle, with exports worth close to $24 million.
Mr Burke said the Rudd Government would continue working hard to expand trade opportunities and support Australian jobs.
“Agricultural trade is good for the economy and good for jobs across rural and regional areas, particularly as the global recession continues,” Mr Burke said.
“We already export around two-thirds of our agricultural produce and want to see that grow further.
“Our farmers are particularly skilled at developing niche markets and targeting counter-seasonal markets – for example, supplying mangoes to China during their winter.”