Australia's beef producers eye expansion in China as more bans lifted

SYDNEY -- China has lifted a ban on imports from five Australian beef producers, marking a further easing of punitive restrictions applied four years ago and providing a welcome signal for exporters keen to boost shipments to China.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Thursday confirmed that China had lifted its suspension on imports from five Australian meat processing operations with "immediate effect." The decision leaves two beef exporters on the suspension list, following an earlier lifting of restrictions on three companies in December.