China dairy exports

AUSTRALIAN dairy’s $60 million export trade to the rapidly growing Chinese market has been secured through a collaborative effort from the dairy industry and government.
The aim is to substantiate the industry’s ability to meet China’s high pedigree requirements for the heifers it imports and are therefore eligible for a tariff duty waiver.
The close relationship established between Chinese and Australian Government officials and dairy industry representatives at the second China-Australia Dairy Talks in Canberra recently positioned Australia to take full advantage of opportunities.
An increasing demand for dairy products and dairy cow exports makes China a key market for the Australian dairy industry.
Dairy Australia managing director Dr Mike Ginnivan said concerns over quality assurance of Australian dairy cows had put at risk Australia’s dairy image and its ability to grow the Chinese market.
“Their concern over the pedigree of dairy cows in the live heifer trade dominated policy formation,” Dr Ginnivan said.
“It was clear that industry and government had to work in partnership with the Chinese to remove any threats to this important market.”
Allan Burgess, president of Australian Dairy Farmers, who led and co-ordinated the response, highlighted the need for collaboration in order to obtain the best outcome for the Australian dairy industry.
“Demonstrating a consistent united front by the dairy industry and Australian Government over the past 18 months helped resolve a potentially damaging situation.
“Ongoing collaboration between industry and government provided the Chinese delegation with confidence that future exports of dairy heifers will not only meet the high standards set by China for breeding cows, but also establish a sound base for further wins for the industry,” Mr Burgess said.
Field trips made possible by Dairy Australia gave the Chinese delegation a better understanding of Australia’s dairy industry. The tours included Bonlac Foods’s Darnum Park milk powder plant, the Victorian State Government’s dairy research station at Ellinbank, Genetics Australia, Food Science Australia, the University of Melbourne and a farm visit. Dr Ginnivan said knowledge gained from the talks was vital to securing the best outcome for Australian dairy exporters as China-Australia Free Trade Agreement negotiations gain momentum.