Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale is defending Canadian meat shipments as safe.

China is halting all meat imports, expressing concern about fake veterinary licenses.

Goodale told reporters in Regina Wednesday that a full investigation is underway into the Chinese meat issue.

He says Canada will respond appropriately once all the facts are known and defend Canadian producers and processors.

Goodale says Canada will not tolerate anything which detracts from Canada’s reputation for good, clean high quality food products.

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association has issued a statement following the announcement that China is halting all meat imports from Canada.

The Cattlemen’s Association says the halt in imports is due to the discovery of a fake Canadian pork export certificate.

The Cattlemen’s group believes the suspension will be temporary and that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is investigating.

The Cattlemen’s Association says shipments already in transit will be allowed to pass through customs.

The Cattle producers group says it is unclear why Canadian beef products have been included in the suspension and Canadian officials are seeking clarification from China.

In 2019, Canadian beef shipments to China were up 19 percent at 10 thousand tons worth 97 million dollars.

Shipments of Canadian beef to China represented 2.6 percent of Canadian beef exports last year.

In the first 3 months of this year, beef exports to China were up 445 percent at 53 hundred tons worth 48 million dollars.

The Cattlemen’s Association is urging the Canadian and Chinese governments to resolve the issue so trade can resume.

The statement says loss of access to China could have a financial impact but there is opportunity to find other markets through the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.