30 November 2010
DAFF10/060LEJ
Joint media release
Minister for Trade, The Hon. Dr Craig Emerson MP
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig
The Government is working to overcome the current trade impediments for rock lobsters to China.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, and Minister for Trade, Craig Emerson, said according to Chinese quarantine and customs officials, there is no ban on imports of Australian rock lobsters.
“I am aware of the reports of problems with rock lobsters entering China,” Minister Ludwig said.
“The Government is continuing to work with officers at the Australian Embassy in Beijing to investigate these reports.
“We are also working closely with the Australian rock lobster industry to determine the exact nature of the problems being experienced.”
Australian rock lobster is an extremely valuable export trade with exports to China and Hong Kong in 2010 worth approximately $300 million or 77 per cent of global exports.
“The Government will continue to push for quick clearance of Australian product arriving in China,” Minister Ludwig said.
“Australia is committed to an open and transparent trading relationship and will continue to work closely with industry and trading partners to secure trade into the future,” Dr Emerson said.
Media contact:
Sarah McSporran 0423 823 843 (Ludwig)
Sandra O’Malley 0466 745 620 (Emerson)
