By Elishya Perera
SYDNEY (CWBN)_ China announced yesterday (Nov 12) that it has indefinitely suspended imports of all timber logs from the Australian State of Victoria, amidst mounting tensions between the two nations.
According to the foreign ministry of China, the customs officials had suspended imports of timber from Victoria “to prevent the risks of plant disease”.
Australian media reports confirmed that the claims made by Chinese customs officials were regarding a pest, known as bark beetle, detected in 12 shipments from Victoria. China also suspended timber imports from Queensland last month for the same reason.
In addition to timber, Beijing has notified wine distributors from China of an imminent ban on importing wine from Australia, while six other imports – lobster, coal, wheat, wool, sugar and copper ore – have also been subject to a temporary ban from November 6th.
However, following the latest ban, foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, said that it was a legal not political decision, due to “hazardous insects” detected in the latest shipment of timber.
Nevertheless, Wenbin went on to suggest that Australia’s stance on Beijing’s human rights issues was the “root cause” of current trade tensions. “We hope Australia can… create favourable conditions for mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in all fields,” he said.
According to Australian media reports, almost 30 consignments to China in the months up to July had been infested.
While Victoria’s Agriculture Minister, Jaclyn Symes, says that it is a legitimate reason to suspend trade if bark beetle is present, the she also noted that “we don’t have any evidence either way at this time.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s Agriculture Minister, David Littleproud, said the department was working with the industry on an “enhanced treatment and inspection response”, and would write to China’s customs officials in coming days.
On the other hand, it is reported that the federal government is currently consulting with a range of Australian exporters hit by Chinese sanctions about whether it should lodge a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization.
Edited By Chathushka Perera
