Workers inspect a batch of timber imported from Canada in Putian, East China's Fujian Province. File photo: VCG

China has suspended imports of timber logs from the Australian states of Tasmania and South Australia as of December 3, said a statement published by General Administration of Customs of China on Monday.

In October and November 2020, banned pests were found in Australian imported timber logs from two Australian states, Queensland and Victoria. Customs in Shanghai, Ningbo, Xiamen and Qingdao also identified non-indigenous insects in imported timber logs from two further states, Tasmania and South Australia, said the document.

To prevent the introduction of harmful organisms and to protect China's agricultural and forestry production and ecological safety, the clearance process of timber logs left the ports of Tasmania State and South Australia as of December 3 were suspended.

The General Administration of Customs also announced in the statement that quarantine measured relating to Australian timber logs will be strengthened and adjusted to guard against similar instances in the future.