Australia's largest grain exporter says China suspended barley imports over claims of excessive weed seeds in the product — a claim it rejects — after a Chinese government-linked newspaper claimed "pests" were regularly found in the product.
The suspension to Australia's largest grain exporter took effect yesterday.
The Chinese government-backed newspaper The Global Times reported the trade had been suspended due to "pests" in imported products.
The Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) Group general manager of marketing Jason Craig said there were always weed seeds in cargoes.
"These are very common weed seeds like wild oats, brome grass that are found in Western Australia quite commonly, we have not been advised of any insects so I want to make that quite clear," he said.
"There are some protocols around weed seeds, there are some limits in respect to this and we're well within those limits.
"There are always weed seeds in cargoes, that's quite common, countries have import limits, they have export limits as well, the government tests this and provides a certificate to ensure it meets within those limits."
Mr Craig rejected the allegations against CBH.
"We have plenty of proof in respect to this, we have obviously retested all of those cargoes as well, and again we've confirmed that none of them are breaching any of the limits."
Effect on WA growers limited after tariffs
Mr Craig said exports had almost stopped since May, when China imposed an 80 per cent tariff on Australian Barley in response to dumping allegations, which have been denied by Australia.
He said CBH had been seeking other markets.
"Obviously the impact was when the tariffs were implemented in May of this year so the effect on WA growers to date is probably not big," he said.
"I think the issue is more about reputation, CBH has been in the business for more than 80 years and we pride ourselves on providing quality grain products to more than 30 countries around the world."
The Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the government would be making representations once the facts were known.
"We respect the fact that China, like any other country, would, like we do [have] quarantine inspection arrangements," he said.
"We will be working with the company once we are aware of all the facts to make the appropriate representations."
Senator Cormann wouldn't be drawn on whether he thought there was a political aspect to the suspension.
"We've got to take things at face value, I mean the truth is Australia's grain products, Australia's barley products are highly regarded all around the world, there's a global price for that product," he said.
"There is less opportunity to export high quality Australian grain into China, there will be more opportunity to export that grain into other markets around the world and that would be a great advantage to people around the world that can benefit from our grain."
