China Beef Tariffs Spark Calls for Action

The NSW Nationals are urging urgent government action after China imposed an additional 55 per cent tariff on Australian beef imports.

The tariff took effect over the weekend after Australia filled its annual 205,000-tonne beef quota with China, one of the nation's most valuable export markets.

NSW Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh says China buys close to 900 million dollars' worth of New South Wales beef each year, accounting for around a third of the state's total beef export value.

Mr Singh says while trade negotiations are a federal responsibility, regional producers need strong advocacy from both state and federal governments.

Shadow Agriculture Minister Brendan Moylan says the state's beef producers are among the best in the world and need practical solutions rather than sympathy.

The NSW beef industry contributes almost four billion dollars annually to the state's economy, with concerns any disruption to trade could place downward pressure on cattle prices and impact regional communities.