China Bans Beef Imports From 4 Australian Exporters

China temporarily banned beef imports from four Australian beef exporters after “repeated violations of inspection and quarantine requirements,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said during a March 12 press conference. The spokesperson said China will no longer process import declarations for those four Australian companies and asked Australia “to conduct a thorough investigation to find the cause and address the issue.” The measure banned imports from Kilcoy Pastoral Company, the Northern Cooperative Meat Company and two plants belonging to JBS Australia, which are among Australia’s “largest” beef meat processors, according to a May 12 Reuters report.