Positive signs for exporting livestock to China

• WA-China Agribusiness Cooperation Conference in Perth today

• MOU signed to advance work towards exporting live cattle to China

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by WA live exporters and Chinese company representatives today is an important move towards trial shipments of live cattle from Western Australia to China.

Under the MOU, the parties agree to work towards clarifying Australian and Chinese animal health and welfare protocols, paving the way for the export of slaughter-ready cattle from WA. The MOU signing was witnessed by Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston at the WA-China Agribusiness Cooperation Conference in Perth.

"WA has a long and proud history of producing premium-quality, safe agricultural products and exporting them around the world," Mr Baston said.

"Our ability to grow more food than required by our domestic market has led to producers looking to develop new markets overseas. In recent times, China has been our number one export destination for agriculture and food products and in 2012-13, WA agrifood exports to China and Hong Kong were worth more than $1billion. We look forward to increasing that value."

Demand for beef in China is strong and is driven by economic growth, a rapidly-expanding middle class, and a slight contraction in domestic production. Chinese businesses have expressed interest in securing supply through both boxed beef and potentially, live exports.

"Premier Colin Barnett witnessed the signing of an MOU with WA's Sister State Zhejiang Province last October, which pledged mutual support to establishing new trade protocols, including for live cattle," the Minister said.

"That provided the groundwork for the development of the MOU signed today and will assist future work with other provinces in China.

"Today's agreement reaches further - seeking cooperation at a 'business to business' level, beyond the initial 'government to government' agreement."

       Fact File

• The Western Australia-China Agribusiness Cooperation Conference provides businesses with the opportunity to network and enhance relationships

• The conference is hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia and supported by the InvestWest Agribusiness Alliance, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australia-China Business Council, the Department of State Development, the Department of Regional Development and the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Perth

Minister's office - 6552 5400