China suspends barley imports from Australian company

China has suspended barley imports from Australian firm CBH Grain PTY Ltd, said China's General Administration of Customs on Tuesday.

Pests were found in barley exports from the company multiple times, so China has decided to suspend the imports, said the country's customs authority.

In order to protect China's agricultural production and ecological safety, the customs authority has notified relevant Australian authorities to improve its export phytosanitary supervision system, strengthen export quarantine, and ensure that the barley meets China's phytosanitary requirements, according to the notice.

(Cover: Sowing barley seed at a farm in Victoria, Australia, May 18, 2020. /CFP)