Inverloch-based livestock agent Simon Henderson is shocked by the Federal Government’s decision to allow US beef from cattle born or raised in Canada or Mexico to be imported into Australia, pointing to concerns about lack of lifetime traceability.
That sentiment is shared by the likes of the Federal Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud and the president of the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Brett Hosking.
Mr Littleproud called for an independent review into the decision, stressing the need to ensure the arrangement meets bio security requirements, including traceability.
“I believe Labor’s announcement needs to be independently reviewed, with an independent panel set up by industry to review the science behind the decision,” he said, adding that the Government hasn’t released the protocols to be put in place.
“I am concerned we could be sacrificing our high biosecurity standards for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump,” Mr Littleproud said.
While Mr Henderson hadn’t yet had a chance to read about the situation when he was contacted by the Sentinel-Times on Thursday afternoon, he said he was not aware of any consultation having taken place with beef producers or anyone in the industry.
“We know that the US is taking a lot of our beef because it’s a clean, green product and it is lifetime traceable, so that if there is a disease outbreak it can be followed up quickly and effectively dealt with,” he said.
He noted the reason a ban was put on US beef coming into Australia was because of an outbreak of Mad Cow Disease, something that was highlighted in the Australian media at the time of Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff announcements on an array of countries.
The VFF argues traceability must play a key role in protecting Australia’s livestock industry following the lifting of restrictions on US beef imports to Australia.
“There’s no second chance when it comes to protecting Australia’s multi-billion dollar livestock industry from the threat of biosecurity risks,” VFF president Brett Hosking said.
“Australia produces some of the cleanest, safest and healthiest food in the world and the government must be one hundred percent sure any imported product doesn’t risk devastating the local industry.”
Mr Hosking labelled traceability as a key factor in managing biosecurity risks, saying Australia must never compromise on its strict entry requirements.
The ABC quoted Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins as saying, “This decision has been purely based on science,” but the national broadcaster pointed out that the trade restriction was one of the Trump Administration’s key grievances with Australia.
“Some believe the change could help Australia negotiate a better deal with the US, particularly on tariffs,” SBS News reports, a sentiment expressed by many other sources.
A department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry review concluded, “Canada and Mexico apply rigorous control measures which will address Australia’s biosecurity concerns.”
