Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce gave his tick of approval to the animal health certification requirements on Monday that, once signed by China, will soon allow commercial arrangements to commence.

National Farmers Federation president Brent Finlay says the Chinese have recognised Australia’s reputation for high quality, safe and sustainable produce.

‘‘Providing Australian cattle producers with a larger range of export destinations positions the industry to better withstand market volatility and increase competitiveness,’’ he said in a statement on Tuesday.

The focus now shifts to negotiating commercial agreements for supply chain quality assurance and import permits from Chinese authorities. 

The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association has described a potential deal as a game-changer.

It is welcomed news after Indonesia announced a dramatically reduced import quota last week.

It will only accept 50,000 head of Australian cattle for July to September, a fraction of the 250,000 imported in the past three months.

The industry is still reeling from the previous Labor government’s decision in June 2011 to halt all live cattle exports to Indonesia because of animal cruelty issues at some abattoirs.