List of meat-exporting plants to China will be halved

By PAM GRAHAM

New Zealand will cut in half a list of 126 meat plants seeking to export to China in its second attempt to get a local food safety approval system acceptable to the fastest growing market in Asia.

Plants that pack meat separately to slaughter, or process meats other than lamb and beef, and those that have never exported will not be included in a system whereby China accepts New Zealand's approval of plants. Europe and the US have stopped checking individual meat plants and, subject to audit checks, accept New Zealand Food Safety Authority approved lists.

New Zealand was trying to get the same system for China but four out of a sample of nine plants checked by Chinese officials were of "concern".

Neil McLeod, a market access manager for the authority, said the Chinese officials did not like slaughter of animals to be separated from packing. Separately, China has suspended issuing new permits for meat imports from all countries as they put new systems in place. The move has thrown into question New Zealand's access to a market with potential beyond the current $130 million.

Meat Industry Association chief executive Caryll Shailer said: "What's happening here is frustrating but it is not unusual.

"Any street-savvy exporter into China knows that sometimes these things can take a period of time to be resolved but we are, in conjunction with the minister's office and Government authorities, working to have this resolved by August."