Beijing Bans Beef Exports From Fifth Australian Slaughterhouse

Beijing has suspended beef imports from a fifth Australian slaughterhouse, just hours after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced new laws which could spell the end of controversial Chinese-backed agreements in Australia, including Victoria’s Belt and Road Initiative and the Confucius Institutes. The Chinese General Administration of Customs suspended imports from Queensland beef producer, and family-owned business, John Dee Warwick. On Aug. 27, the announcement alleged that the drug chloramphenicol was detected in sirloin meat from the slaughterhouse. The department has notified John Dee Warwick of the suspension, ordered an investigation, and to report back in 45 days. On May 13, the Chinese authorities suspended imports from four Australian slaughterhouses. At the time, Trade Minister Simon Birmingham noted the suspensions appeared to target “highly technical issues.”