Gabrielle Duykers, Naracoorte Community News
Teys Naracoorte is the latest abattoir to be banned from exporting its beef to China, joining nine others across Australia.
The suspension came into place on January 29, according to an official notice from China’s General Administration of Customs.
A specific reason for the decision or how the meat processing plant failed to meet trade access requirements was excluded from the notice.
However, the Naracoorte meatworks recently received international media attention after a COVID-19 outbreak saw more than 140 of its workers test positive to the virus.
Controversy arose when employees were instructed to return to work even if infected with the virus, unless their symptoms were too severe. This direction was approved by SA Health on the grounds of preserving food security.
Teys manager of corporate and industry affairs Dr John Langbridge said he was unsure how long the ban would be in place for.
“Teys will work closely with the Australian export market regulatory bodies to achieve reinstatement of the facility’s access to China,” Dr Langbridge said.
“It’s unfortunate we’ve lost access to that one important market, but we will keep investing in that plant.”
Dr Langbridge said Teys planned to expand the capacity of the Naracoorte facility to increase its current cattle output from 600 up to 850 per day.
“We’re there for the long haul,” he said. “We value the community and we hope the local community values our presence.”
Mr Langbridge said Teys would now look to explore other export markets in Europe.
Trade tensions between China and Australia have become rife over the past two years, after the Federal Government supported a call for an international probe into the origin of COVID-19.
Since March 2020, China has imposed high tariffs on Australian coal, wine, barley, lobster, and timber, affecting a number of key industries in the Limestone Coast.
Teys Naracoorte historically sent about 5 per cent of its output to China.
About 60 per cent of its output is distributed domestically, while 40 per cent is exported overseas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises there is no known evidence people can catch COVID-19 from food or food packaging.
“Teys’ Naracoorte facility operates in full compliance with all state and federal, food safety, occupational health and safety and market access regulations, and continues to operate as normal,” Mr Langbridge said.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
