China lifts import ban on Australian beef

Cattle farmers can breathe a sigh of relief after China lifted an import ban on Australian beef, which had lasted several months.

China's quarantine agency imposed the ban in late July after discovering labels on some boxes of exported beef did not match packet labels inside.

Acting Prime Minister Julie Bishop said it was very good news given the beef export industry was worth about $670 million to the Australian economy each year.

"There were some issues regarding labelling regulations that have now been resolved very quickly," she told reporters in Perth on Tuesday.

"Given the strength of the trading relationship between Australia and China - of course China is our largest trading partner - and the fact that we have a high-quality, comprehensive free trade agreement between our two countries, it's very pleasing that this matter has been resolved."