China reportedly suspends barley imports from CBH Group after ‘pests’ found

WA farmers are again caught in the middle of Australia’s escalating trade war with China after the Asian giant halted imports from the nation’s biggest grain handler. Chinese customs has “suspended imports” from Perth-based CBH Group after finding “harmful pests” — referred to as weeds — in its grain. CBH said tonight that it had not found “any evidence” supporting the claims and planned to work with the Federal Government to challenge the suspension. A spokesman said the company’s marketing and trading arm, CBH Grain Pty Ltd, had been notified by the Government of the immediate suspension. “CBH has not found any evidence to support the claims,” he said. “CBH confirms that all grain shipments to China have met all Government phytosanitary export requirements and is therefore very disappointed to hear of the suspension. We will work with the Government to challenge the suspension.” The continuing trade spat intensified after Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. Since then China has hit Australian barley imports with a tariff, banned beef exports from some abattoirs and announced an anti-subsidy probe into the country’s wine export industry. WAFarmers grains section president Mic Fels said it was disappointing that the State’s grain growers were the ones being targeted in the “ongoing politicisation of the grain trade”. “My understanding is the grain (delivered to China), as it always is, was the premium quality grain that WA always supplies to our foreign markets,” he said. “I understand it is the same quality grain that has always been received, with no problems. “Our concern is the reputational damage that can come from this. It is important to make clear to the world that our grain is as clean and green as it always was.” China’s General Administration of Customs said the decision to suspend grain imports from CBH Group was made after quarantine pests were found in barley exports from the company multiple times. “Recently, Chinese customs have successively detected Bromus rigidus, Avena ludoviciana, Aegilops cylindrica, Solanum carolinense, Emex australis and Cernuella virgata, wheat streak mosaic virus and other quarantine pests from imported Australian barley,” it said. “In order to prevent the introduction of harmful organisms, in accordance with the ‘Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine Law of the People’s Republic of China’ … the general administration of customs has revoked registration of Australian company CBH Grain Pty Ltd due to serious violations of the regulations, suspended its barley imports and notified the Australian authorities of the relevant situation.”