NSW DPI China link boosts beef

16 Feb 2017

David Hopkins stands among a group of students

A new agreement between the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and a major Asian agricultural university to boost demand for Australian beef in China will be cemented during a visit by Chinese scientists to Cowra next week, Thursday 23 February.

DPI senior principal research scientist, David Hopkins said Dr Yimin Zhang from the prestigious Shandong Agricultural University (SDAU) will be working on joint research projects to deliver beef into the Chinese market.

“Dr Zhang will work with local researchers to identify how Australian beef can meet Chinese market preferences and encourage growth in demand for Australian beef,” Dr Hopkins said.

“DPI established a fertile relationship with the university in 2014 when SDAU funded a twelve month placement for Dr Yanwei Mao to gain new skills in experimental design, laboratory work and data analysis.

“That placement, here at the DPI Centre for Red Meat and Sheep Development in Cowra, led to published research, which clearly showed that demand for beef and sheep meat will continue to grow in China.”

Now the aim is to build on these initial findings by uncovering new insights and better ways for Australian producers and processors to deliver meat products into Chinese markets.

The relationship between DPI and SDAU has been formalised in a memorandum of understanding and the appointment of Dr Hopkins as adjunct professor at SDAU.

Photographs available from bernadette.york@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Media contact: Bernadette York (02) 6938 1664, 0427 773 785