Tonnes of Australian lobsters stuck in Chinese airports amid trade tensions - ABC News

The threat of Australian lobsters dying at Chinese airports has spooked local producers and escalated trade tensions between Beijing and Canberra.

Key points:

• Australian lobster shipments are facing inspections on arrival in China
• The inspections have surprised the industry which fears waits for checks may see its product spoil
• Other exports, including cotton and barley, have been affected by Chinese-Australian trade tensions

Tonnes of live lobsters were stranded at Chinese airports and clearance houses while waiting to be inspected by customs officials at the weekend.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the Government was seeking more information from the industry, but he warned if China was discriminating against Australian products it would be a breach of international trade rules.

"All importers should be subjected to equivalent standards and there should be no discriminatory screening practices," he said.

"So far as any industry concerns imply a breach of WTO [World Trade Organization] or CHAFTA [China–Australia Free Trade Agreement] commitments, Chinese authorities should rule out the use of any such discriminatory actions."

Trade tensions

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said China was inspecting between 50 and 100 per cent of Australian rock lobsters, citing concerns about trace elements of metals.

He said the Government had reserved the right the take the issue to the WTO if it escalated.

"We're a fair country, we play by WTO rules and we expect those we trade with to do that," he said.

"We expect China to play by WTO rules and if they don't we'll have to make consideration with industry around what our next action is around the independent umpire."

China is inspecting between 50 and 100 per cent of Australian rock lobsters, the Agriculture Minister says.(ABC Far North: Charlie McKillop)

New health and reliance checks

Southern Rocklobster Limited executive officer Tom Cosentino said Australian lobster shipments had experienced customs clearance delays due to an increased level of import inspections in China.

"Whilst some cargo has been cleared there are other continued risks of delays while new processes are being implemented," he said.

"To mitigate this risk a decision has been made by the majority of new exporters to stop sending shipments to China until more is known about the new process."

Mr Cosentino said details were scant but the information available suggested the tests related to new health and reliance checks.

"We’re confident that the Australian rock lobster industry’s reputation as a global leader in quality, reliability and sustainability will meet the standards of the new processes."

Industry warns of 'enormous' impact

Kyri Toumazos, executive officer of the Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fishery in South Australia, said the product may spoil if inspections were too slow.

"We're in the process of exporting the most premium-quality lobster of any kind in the world, and we don't want our brand name influenced, so we would like that process to be very rapid, and unfortunately with all the different challenges that we're facing, that's not guaranteed," he told AM.

"Without China, our market cannot absorb the volume of product that we're intending to catch, so unfortunately we need this issue resolved as quickly as possible otherwise there'll be enormous impacts."

Australia's coal, cotton, barley, wheat and beef sectors have faced obstacles in getting their product to consumers in China this year.

Senator Birmingham has been seeking discussions with his Chinese counterpart in recent months but his representations have been ignored.

The lobster industry has endured a difficult year due to flat demand.

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2020-11-01 22:41:00Z
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