Australian cattle to be sent to China under new deal China bound ... Deal expected to send $1 billion worth of cattle to China. Picture Justin Brierty/ News Corp. Source: News Corp Australia ONE million Australian cattle are set to be exported to China each year, as part of a breakthrough deal between the two trading nations. The cattle, worth $1 billion, would be able to help the country currently suffering a beef shortage. Government frontbencher Christopher Pyne welcomed the "fantastic" news this morning, despite no formal announcement yet. "It's a million cattle worth a billion dollars," he told Channel Nine's Today Show. The ink is not dry on the contract though. It's a great breakthrough ... this is the kind of thing that happens when you have a government that's focused on economic outcomes. Fantastic ... Christopher Pyne welcomes expected deal with China over cattle exports. Mr Pyne said Australia has secured free trade agreements with Japan and South Korea and talks are continuing with China. Labor's Anthony Albanese said the Coaliton has been able to sign the agreements the Opposition negotiated when in government. "I am pleased that the benefits are flowing through," he admitted. It's a good thing. Last night Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said he was optimistic of a broader free trade deal with China, currently being negotiated in Beijing. One of the tricks of dealing in Asia is you don't pre-empt their decision, you let them make it and then you celebrate it and that's the way - coming from a family that's dealt with Asia for a long time before I was in politics, I'll continue to do business. According to The Australian, it's expected as many as 50,000 head of cattle will be shipped in the next year as soon as the deal is signed. On the mooo-ve ... As many as 50,000 head of cattle will be shipped to China in the next year as soon as the deal is signed. Picture: Sarah Hudson Source: News Corp Australia Southern Australian beef is due to be sent all year round, but those from northern Australia will be restricted to several months when the bluetongue virus is less common. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie slammed the expected deal, labelling the government an "evil death cult." "I recently called the Federal Government a pack of sadists when it comes to animal welfare," he said in a statement. Turns out evil death cult would have been a better description as far as the live animal export trade is concerned. The Government seems set to effectively double Australia's cruel live export trade with a deal with China to export one million cattle a year. Mr Wilkie said it is a "dreadful development" and the focus should be instead on the "healthy market for processed Australian red meat." It's not like these countries will only buy live cattle.