China Lifts Ban on New Zealand Lamb Mutton, Beef Meat
China has finally lifted the ban it imposed on New Zealand's lamb mutton and beef meat products.
"A resolution has been agreed which should see authorities clearing New Zealand meat exports to China from next week," Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said in a statement.
Once China receives the new certificates, it will take 10 to 14 days before the frozen beef and sheep meat are finally given clearance to enter the country.
"Chinese authorities have agreed they will begin releasing consignments under the name of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority."
However, the minister warned jobs may be sacked as a consequence of what happened to the ban on New Zealand's meat exports to China.
"I'm very disappointed in my officials, issuing export certification is really their core business and I'm disappointed in how this issue has come to bear," Mr Guy said told reporters.
According to Mr Guy, the problem arose from unauthorised documentation being issued by the Ministry of Primary Industries, a "simple mistake" but caused China to embargo the products since late April. Chinese authorities have refused to allow the entry of New Zealand beef and sheep meat due to some confusion in the documentation paperwork.
Believed to be hundreds of tonnes, most of the meat is frozen in refrigerated containers.
"Normally we have a very strong system and this is very unusual."
MPI reportedly provided certification in a new a format that is new to the Chinese importation officials. This ultimately caused confusion for the Chinese inspectors.
"I am very disappointed in the Ministry for Primary Industries for its mistakes in certification which have caused this delay," Mr Guy said.
"Accurately certifying exports of New Zealand agricultural goods is a core function for the Ministry and this mistake should never have occurred."
Read: China Orders Embargo of Lamb, Beef Meat from New Zealand