WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- China's decision to approve only four of 41 meat plants in New Zealand may hurt the country's $130 million meat trade with the Asian giant, says a report.
The Chinese decision about the export standards of the plants comes at a time when the slaughter season is only a week away, report the New Zealand Herald.
Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said Beijing had confirmed that after Oct. 31 it would not admit meat from any New Zealand plants not registered by its own inspectors.
The New Zealand Food and Safety Authority will go to Beijing next week to try to satisfy Chinese "technical concerns" and pave the way for another 10 plants to be approved, the report said.
The meat issue comes a month before China and New Zealand are due to formally announce the beginning of free-trade negotiations.
