Calls for Senate Inquiry into US Beef Importation Decision

Key questions remain unresolved regarding the Australian Government’s recent decision to permit the importation of beef from the United States. The Coalition is demanding a Senate inquiry into the government’s decision-making processes.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the National Press Club.

Last week, the government released a scientific review concerning the US beef market, indicating that beef from Canada and Mexico slaughtered in the US is safe for Australian consumption. However, this report has faced backlash from industry stakeholders such as Cattle Australia, AgForce, and NSW Farmers, who are demanding a review due to a lack of transparency and unanswered questions.

Industry groups argue that if the scientific review was sufficiently rigorous regarding systems and disease risks in the US, then an independent review would be justified. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dismissed these calls, stating, “There has been an independent review and it took 10 years.”

Unaddressed Concerns

While US beef has been permitted into Australia since 2019, the challenge remains in verifying that this beef is not sourced from Mexico or Canada. A proposal from the US industry in 2020 sought to include beef from these countries that are slaughtered in the US.

Cattle Australia has stressed that the US must prove its beef meets the stringent standards set by the Australian beef industry, particularly concerning full traceability.

Questions arise about the measures the US has implemented to ensure such equivalence. Although Canada’s herd has full traceability, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a Process Verified Program for traceability, the extent of its uptake remains ambiguous. Furthermore, stakeholders are concerned that the new protocols could allow the importation of beef fed products that Australian farmers cannot use, such as beta agonists.

Call for Transparency

In response to growing concerns, the Coalition is advocating for a Senate inquiry into the government’s decision. Nationals leader David Littleproud expressed his apprehension regarding what he perceives as a lack of transparency, stating, “The Coalition, and Australia, needs assurance that Labor isn’t sacrificing our high biosecurity standards.”

Littleproud highlighted that the timing of the decision, coinciding with the Prime Minister’s efforts to reach out to the US President, raises further red flags. He referenced a recently outlined protocol on import conditions that lacks depth regarding scientific and traceability requirements.

Senator Matt Canavan has indicated that the Senate inquiry would examine the potential risks associated with importing beef exposed to diseases, the processes followed by the Albanese Government, and the implications of possible future outbreaks in the US and other relevant countries.

Conclusion

As Australia continues to uphold its reputation for having one of the safest and highest-quality beef industries globally, the urgency of understanding the implications of importing US beef cannot be overstated. A Senate inquiry seems vital for uncovering the rationale behind the government’s decision and ensuring that the standards Australians expect are maintained.