Australia lifts biosecurity import restrictions on US beef, a Trump administration grievance

Australia Broadcast Center

6 days ago

Australia has lifted biosecurity restrictions on beef imports from the United States, one of the key grievances that led the Trump administration to impose tariffs on Australia.
The US has been able to export its beef to Australia since 2019, but certain products were banned, including beef sourced from Canada or Mexico and slaughtered in the US.
The government says the US introduced more robust movement controls earlier this year, meaning cattle could be traced back through the supply chain to their original farms, allowing more certainty that products were not carrying disease or pests dangerous to Australia.
"The Albanese Labor government will never compromise on biosecurity," Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said.
"The US Beef Imports Review has undergone a rigorous science and risk-based assessment over the past decade.
"The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is satisfied the strengthened control measures put in place by the US effectively manage biosecurity risks."
Reacting to the announcement, Liberal frontbencher Tim Wilson said Australia's national interest must be preserved.
"Biosecurity shouldn't be compromised and I really hope the government knows what it's doing," Mr Wilson said.
The vast majority of beef trade between Australia and the US is of Australian beef sold to America.
$14 billion in Australian beef was sold last year, with the US being the single largest market, followed by China.
But a 10 per cent tariff on Australian beef was imposed by US President Donald Trump in April, with export restrictions on US beef being one of the administration's key grievances.
"Australia's market remains closed to fresh US beef and beef products," the administration complained in its Foreign Trade Barriers report earlier this year.
Australia closed its market to US beef in 2003 after fatal neurological disease bovine spongiform encephalopathy was discovered in American cattle.
A report by Meat and Livestock Australia released in June found the beef tariff had not hurt trade, which had risen 32 per cent year-to-date.