Concerns are growing in three key Limestone Coast industries as tensions escalate over the future of exports to China.

The issue first arose two weeks ago when tonnes of lobster were refused entry to China, with Chinese customs implementing new inspection protocols, meaning stock was left to perish until it cleared entry.

The situation appeared to have resolved, until the issue flared again late last week.

While no official ban on lobster, timber or wine has been declared, there have been unofficial rumblings behind the scenes leading to some Chinese importers cancelling orders, while some Australian exporters have also moved to cease shipments.

Barker MP Tony Pasin said the interruption of trade into China across a number of important Australian exports including premium wine and southern rock lobster was “of great concern to me and our government”.

“In particular I am concerned with the inconsistent messages out of China,” he said.

“I must stress the Australian Government is yet to receive formal notification regarding any supposed outright bans. To the extent the Australian Government has received notification it relates to technical issues, as they have been described by the Chinese Government.”

Mr Pasin said he wanted to assure local workers in those industries the government was “working through those issues as quickly as we can”. “The rumours that suggest outright bans in a broad range of categories are not appearing to be the case at present,” he said.

“But, there are problems and there are deeply troubling and concerning aspects, to some elements of that trade relationship at present and so we are continuing to closely monitor that and trying to work out all diplomatic and government to government levels that we can to secure a better understanding and resolution of some of those concerns for sectors, such as our premium wine and live Australian lobster trade.

“However, as the Prime Minister has said, Australia will always stand by our sovereignty. We will always stand by our values. We will always be consistent with those. We will never trade them away.

“We will maintain the integrity of whether it’s our foreign investment rules or our rules of interference in Australia’s political situations here in Australia or the integrity of our communications networks, all of these things,” Mr Pasin said.

“We will continue to raise our voice on matters that are very important to the Australian people. And we’ll do that consistently. And so these are things that cannot be traded away.”

Mr Pasin said the Prime Minister had committed to working the relationship, importantly for Australia, in a way that is consistent with the comprehensive strategic partnership.

Mr Pasin’s concerns were echoed by Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell, who said he was closely monitoring the situation.

“The continuing threat of trade bans is deeply concerning given three of our region’s main export industries – timber, lobster and wine – are at stake,” he said.

“I have spoken with several local producers and exporters directly affected and they are rightly concerned about the future of Australia’s relationship with China, a major buyer of Australia’s exports.

“For the last few years, there has been discussions around identifying and diversifying into other international and local markets and the time has come for joint strategy and action on this by both Federal and State Governments.

“I will be closely monitoring the situation and working with our local Federal member and Australia’s Trade Minister Simon Birmingham to ensure Limestone Coast businesses have all the support they need throughout this time.”

Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union Manufacturing Division secretary Brad Coates said he was also keeping a watchful eye on the “concerning” situation.

Mr Coates said thousands of forestry workers were employed in the Green Triangle region, with many now worried for their future employment.

“It is very concerning, as any ban would have a wide-reaching impact on the entire industry which is reliant on exports to China,” he said.

“Apart from exports of saw logs, softwood woodchips produced by all processors underpins the production cycle.

“So far there has been no impact on timber and wood fibre exports from this region.”