China bans WA and NSW timber imports

• Chinese authorities have suspended all timber imports from New South Wales and Western Australia after claiming to have discovered pests among the incoming cargo
• Back in October, Beijing took similar actions to cease timber logs imports from Victoria and Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia
• Authorities appear particularly concerned about the reported presence of bark beetles, which are known to attack cedar, fir, pine and spruce trees
• With WA and NSW now joining the other four states already under the ban, Australia’s timber exports to China have all but ceased entirely
• This latest trade hurdle comes on the heels of increasing political and economic tensions between the previously amicable nations

Chinese authorities have suspended all timber imports from New South Wales and Western Australia after claiming to have discovered pests among the incoming cargo.

Back in October, Beijing took similar actions to cease timber logs exports from Victoria and Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia, on basis on similar claims. Authorities appear particularly concerned about the presence of bark beetles, which are known to attack cedar, fir, pine and spruce trees.

With WA and NSW now joining the other four states under the ban, Australia’s timber exports to China have all but ceased entirely.  

According to a Chinese government notice released on Wednesday, the pests were discovered separately by customs in the provinces of Tianjin, Nanjing, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Huangpu.

“In order to prevent the introduction of harmful organisms and protect our country’s agricultural and forestry production and ecological safety, we have hereby decided to suspend log imports from Australia’s New South Wales and Western Australia states,” the notice stated.

In response, the Australian Forest Products Association released a statement saying it was aware of the expanded restrictions and was actively looking for alternative markets for the excess timber. The AFPA also said discussions with the Australian government about the impact to the industry remain ongoing.

This latest trade hurdle between the two previously amicable nations comes on the heels of increasing trade tensions. Earlier this year, the Australian government called for an independent inquiry in the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, which subsequently triggered the ongoing trade spat with its largest export partner.

Chinese authorities have since placed restrictions, tariffs or outright bans on a number of key Australian exports, such as wine, seafood, coal and barley.

Whether the expanded timber ban is born from legitimate environmental concerns or simply another casualty of the ongoing trade spat remains to be seen. Regardless, with no current end in sight for the export restrictions on timber, the immediate future of yet another Australian industry hangs in the balance.