Latest news with #NationalFarmersFederation
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
As Albanese plans Trump talks, Jim is worried about his farm
Farmers fear Australia will open its borders to beef from Mexico and Canada, as the Albanese government seeks an exemption from Donald Trump's tariffs without buckling to US complaints over its teen social media ban and big tech crackdown. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to meet Trump later this month, sparking warnings from farmers that there must be no compromise on biosecurity to appease the White House, after this masthead revealed on Friday that a biosecurity review could let North American beef into Australia. While US farmers have been permitted to export locally grown beef to Australia since 2019, none has been sent. Instead, the US industry wants access for all the beef in its supply chain, including from stock raised in Mexico and Canada but slaughtered in the US. Biosecurity officials have not approved imports from these countries, and Albanese said on Friday that Australia would not compromise its biosecurity status even as he opened the door to restarting beef exports. 'We'll never loosen any rules regarding our biosecurity,' he told ABC Melbourne. 'If things can be sorted out in a way that protects our biosecurity – of course, we don't just say no.' Loading Agriculture sector representatives were briefed on Friday by government officials. They did not reveal details of how Australia could change its rules to accommodate the US beef supply chain, but said the review would be finalised soon. Industry sources speaking on the condition of anonymity said the only way Albanese could appease the Trump administration, without changing Australia's biosecurity rules, would be if the current review paved the way for all the beef in their supply chain to be sent to Australia. National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said Australia's disease-free status was crucial for the red meat sector, which depends on its clean reputation to export around 75 per cent of its product overseas.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Biosecurity not competition a meaty issue in beef talks
Even if the federal government lowers barriers blocking imports of US beef, it would be no match for higher quality and cheaper to produce Australian cattle. Australia is considering granting more American beef producers access to the local market as a potential bargaining chip to strike a deal on tariffs, as the two nations' leaders prepare to potentially meet face-to-face for the first time. For biosecurity reasons, Australia imposes a soft ban on US beef. Cattle that can be proven to have been raised and slaughtered in the US are allowed into the Australian market, but large amounts of beef sent to American abattoirs come from Mexico or Canada, which are barred from importation. Challenges in tracing the origin of cattle means in practice beef imports are not allowed, until the US can show the same traceability systems Australia has in place. Australian beef producers urged the government not to loosen biosecurity protections. "Australia's biosecurity status is integral to the success and sustainability of our agricultural industries," National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured farmers the government would make no compromises on biosecurity. But as long as biosecurity was protected, Mr Albanese said he would be open to discussions about easing restrictions. David Humphreys, vice chair of industry body Western Beef Association, was open to the idea as well. As long as Australia's biosecurity standards were protected, it would be a beneficial outcome for all Australian farmers if it could be used as leverage to lower US tariffs, he said. Assuming US beef imports posed no disease risk, the impacts for Australian farmers from extra competition would be limited. "Australia has very competitive and relatively cheap beef production in comparison," Mr Humphreys told AAP. "Any beef that's coming in from the US is probably going to be targeting quite select segments of beef consumption, probably the cheaper cuts, produced beef products. "So it's not really competing with the premium Australian beef products that our beef farms produce." The low exchange rate of the Australian dollar as well as the high cost of transporting US beef also reduced the likelihood of it outcompeting homegrown products, he said. Local consumers are accustomed to leaner, higher-quality Australian beef and unlikely to be won over by fatty, hormone-injected American competitors. "I think there's not a lot of risk to Australian producers of beef, with this possibility of some limited US beef being imported into Australia," Mr Humphreys said. Australia's Department of Agriculture is reviewing its ban on Mexican and Canadian beef slaughtered in the US. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said any decision to allow greater access for US beef would be based on science and evidence. Even if the federal government lowers barriers blocking imports of US beef, it would be no match for higher quality and cheaper to produce Australian cattle. Australia is considering granting more American beef producers access to the local market as a potential bargaining chip to strike a deal on tariffs, as the two nations' leaders prepare to potentially meet face-to-face for the first time. For biosecurity reasons, Australia imposes a soft ban on US beef. Cattle that can be proven to have been raised and slaughtered in the US are allowed into the Australian market, but large amounts of beef sent to American abattoirs come from Mexico or Canada, which are barred from importation. Challenges in tracing the origin of cattle means in practice beef imports are not allowed, until the US can show the same traceability systems Australia has in place. Australian beef producers urged the government not to loosen biosecurity protections. "Australia's biosecurity status is integral to the success and sustainability of our agricultural industries," National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured farmers the government would make no compromises on biosecurity. But as long as biosecurity was protected, Mr Albanese said he would be open to discussions about easing restrictions. David Humphreys, vice chair of industry body Western Beef Association, was open to the idea as well. As long as Australia's biosecurity standards were protected, it would be a beneficial outcome for all Australian farmers if it could be used as leverage to lower US tariffs, he said. Assuming US beef imports posed no disease risk, the impacts for Australian farmers from extra competition would be limited. "Australia has very competitive and relatively cheap beef production in comparison," Mr Humphreys told AAP. "Any beef that's coming in from the US is probably going to be targeting quite select segments of beef consumption, probably the cheaper cuts, produced beef products. "So it's not really competing with the premium Australian beef products that our beef farms produce." The low exchange rate of the Australian dollar as well as the high cost of transporting US beef also reduced the likelihood of it outcompeting homegrown products, he said. Local consumers are accustomed to leaner, higher-quality Australian beef and unlikely to be won over by fatty, hormone-injected American competitors. "I think there's not a lot of risk to Australian producers of beef, with this possibility of some limited US beef being imported into Australia," Mr Humphreys said. Australia's Department of Agriculture is reviewing its ban on Mexican and Canadian beef slaughtered in the US. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said any decision to allow greater access for US beef would be based on science and evidence. Even if the federal government lowers barriers blocking imports of US beef, it would be no match for higher quality and cheaper to produce Australian cattle. Australia is considering granting more American beef producers access to the local market as a potential bargaining chip to strike a deal on tariffs, as the two nations' leaders prepare to potentially meet face-to-face for the first time. For biosecurity reasons, Australia imposes a soft ban on US beef. Cattle that can be proven to have been raised and slaughtered in the US are allowed into the Australian market, but large amounts of beef sent to American abattoirs come from Mexico or Canada, which are barred from importation. Challenges in tracing the origin of cattle means in practice beef imports are not allowed, until the US can show the same traceability systems Australia has in place. Australian beef producers urged the government not to loosen biosecurity protections. "Australia's biosecurity status is integral to the success and sustainability of our agricultural industries," National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured farmers the government would make no compromises on biosecurity. But as long as biosecurity was protected, Mr Albanese said he would be open to discussions about easing restrictions. David Humphreys, vice chair of industry body Western Beef Association, was open to the idea as well. As long as Australia's biosecurity standards were protected, it would be a beneficial outcome for all Australian farmers if it could be used as leverage to lower US tariffs, he said. Assuming US beef imports posed no disease risk, the impacts for Australian farmers from extra competition would be limited. "Australia has very competitive and relatively cheap beef production in comparison," Mr Humphreys told AAP. "Any beef that's coming in from the US is probably going to be targeting quite select segments of beef consumption, probably the cheaper cuts, produced beef products. "So it's not really competing with the premium Australian beef products that our beef farms produce." The low exchange rate of the Australian dollar as well as the high cost of transporting US beef also reduced the likelihood of it outcompeting homegrown products, he said. Local consumers are accustomed to leaner, higher-quality Australian beef and unlikely to be won over by fatty, hormone-injected American competitors. "I think there's not a lot of risk to Australian producers of beef, with this possibility of some limited US beef being imported into Australia," Mr Humphreys said. Australia's Department of Agriculture is reviewing its ban on Mexican and Canadian beef slaughtered in the US. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said any decision to allow greater access for US beef would be based on science and evidence. Even if the federal government lowers barriers blocking imports of US beef, it would be no match for higher quality and cheaper to produce Australian cattle. Australia is considering granting more American beef producers access to the local market as a potential bargaining chip to strike a deal on tariffs, as the two nations' leaders prepare to potentially meet face-to-face for the first time. For biosecurity reasons, Australia imposes a soft ban on US beef. Cattle that can be proven to have been raised and slaughtered in the US are allowed into the Australian market, but large amounts of beef sent to American abattoirs come from Mexico or Canada, which are barred from importation. Challenges in tracing the origin of cattle means in practice beef imports are not allowed, until the US can show the same traceability systems Australia has in place. Australian beef producers urged the government not to loosen biosecurity protections. "Australia's biosecurity status is integral to the success and sustainability of our agricultural industries," National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured farmers the government would make no compromises on biosecurity. But as long as biosecurity was protected, Mr Albanese said he would be open to discussions about easing restrictions. David Humphreys, vice chair of industry body Western Beef Association, was open to the idea as well. As long as Australia's biosecurity standards were protected, it would be a beneficial outcome for all Australian farmers if it could be used as leverage to lower US tariffs, he said. Assuming US beef imports posed no disease risk, the impacts for Australian farmers from extra competition would be limited. "Australia has very competitive and relatively cheap beef production in comparison," Mr Humphreys told AAP. "Any beef that's coming in from the US is probably going to be targeting quite select segments of beef consumption, probably the cheaper cuts, produced beef products. "So it's not really competing with the premium Australian beef products that our beef farms produce." The low exchange rate of the Australian dollar as well as the high cost of transporting US beef also reduced the likelihood of it outcompeting homegrown products, he said. Local consumers are accustomed to leaner, higher-quality Australian beef and unlikely to be won over by fatty, hormone-injected American competitors. "I think there's not a lot of risk to Australian producers of beef, with this possibility of some limited US beef being imported into Australia," Mr Humphreys said. Australia's Department of Agriculture is reviewing its ban on Mexican and Canadian beef slaughtered in the US. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said any decision to allow greater access for US beef would be based on science and evidence.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Biosecurity isn't a bargaining chip': Farmers push back on using beef to butter up Trump
Farmers insist that the nation's strict biosecurity regime must not be watered down to appease Donald Trump, following news that the Albanese government will make moves to enable US beef exports into Australia as part of a plan to gain an exemption from the US president's tariffs. This masthead revealed on Friday that changes to controls on US beef imports would be made via an ongoing biosecurity rule review, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares to meet Trump later this month. National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said Australia's disease-free status was crucial for Australia's $20 billion red meat sector, which depends on its clean reputation to export around 75 per cent of its product to countries around the world. 'Let's be abundantly clear, our biosecurity isn't a bargaining chip. We have the world's best standards, backed by science, and that's how it needs to stay,' Jochinke said. Australia is seeking exemptions to the US's sweeping tariff regime. The Trump administration has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium imports and a 10 per cent impost on all other goods. Loading US beef was banned from Australia in 2003, following an outbreak in cattle of mad cow disease – an illness that can cause a fatal brain disorder in humans. The ban was lifted in 2019, as the mad cow outbreak subsided, but a key sticking point remains. The US beef industry wants export access for cattle that has been raised in Mexico and Canada but slaughtered in the US – a common practice for the nation's vast number of beef abattoirs. However, Australian biosecurity officials have not approved exports from these countries, and farmers are wary that their export access could be compromised if diseases like mad cow or foot and mouth get in. The federal government has estimated that a foot-and-mouth outbreak could cost the economy $80 billion.
The Age
4 days ago
- Business
- The Age
‘Biosecurity isn't a bargaining chip': Farmers push back on using beef to butter up Trump
Farmers insist that the nation's strict biosecurity regime must not be watered down to appease Donald Trump, following news that the Albanese government will make moves to enable US beef exports into Australia as part of a plan to gain an exemption from the US president's tariffs. This masthead revealed on Friday that changes to controls on US beef imports would be made via an ongoing biosecurity rule review, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares to meet Trump later this month. National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said Australia's disease-free status was crucial for Australia's $20 billion red meat sector, which depends on its clean reputation to export around 75 per cent of its product to countries around the world. 'Let's be abundantly clear, our biosecurity isn't a bargaining chip. We have the world's best standards, backed by science, and that's how it needs to stay,' Jochinke said. Australia is seeking exemptions to the US's sweeping tariff regime. The Trump administration has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium imports and a 10 per cent impost on all other goods. Loading US beef was banned from Australia in 2003, following an outbreak in cattle of mad cow disease – an illness that can cause a fatal brain disorder in humans. The ban was lifted in 2019, as the mad cow outbreak subsided, but a key sticking point remains. The US beef industry wants export access for cattle that has been raised in Mexico and Canada but slaughtered in the US – a common practice for the nation's vast number of beef abattoirs. However, Australian biosecurity officials have not approved exports from these countries, and farmers are wary that their export access could be compromised if diseases like mad cow or foot and mouth get in. The federal government has estimated that a foot-and-mouth outbreak could cost the economy $80 billion.
The Age
5 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Albanese to put beef on the table in Trump trade talks
However, the US's mad cow outbreak subsided and Australia's ban on US beef was lifted in 2019. Biosecurity officials are still reviewing whether to permit cattle raised in Mexico and Canada but slaughtered in the US into Australia, as the Trump administration has demanded. 'Our farmers are blocked from selling almost anywhere ... Australia won't let us sell beef,' US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in April, in an oversimplification of the current situation. It is unclear whether the outcome of that review will be the card Albanese plays in his discussion with Trump, which another government source noted was not a 'deal-or-no-deal' moment and could lead to months of talks. The source added that ministers were wary of Trump's erratic approach and were unwilling to 'sell the farm' by giving in to US demands to water down the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or back away from charging tech giants for news. The prime minister's office was contacted for comment. Experts, including former inspector-general of biosecurity Helen Scott-Orr, told this masthead in April that they endorsed Australia's ban on US beef exports from cattle raised outside the US. Australia's disease-free status depended on strict biosecurity protocols, they said. 'We do not use them [biosecurity protocols] as non-tariff trade barriers. When other countries query our biosecurity requirements, we have to justify them and show that we are applying proper controls to allow trade to all those countries to continue,' Scott-Orr said. 'The requirements we have are very cautious because the consequences would be huge.' The Albanese government's consideration of permitting US beef imports suggests it has found a pathway through these complications. In April, Albanese said he would negotiate with the US but would never undermine biosecurity. 'We will not weaken the measures that protect our farmers and producers from the risks of disease or contamination,' he said in a separate statement. Agriculture sector consultant Patrick Hutchison, of Gibraltar Strategic Advisory, said while the US was a major competitor in the biggest markets for beef, like China, Japan and Korea, Australia's population of 27 million was likely too small to become a major target for Americans. 'US exports would only play a very niche role in the market here, like in food service or potentially, US-aligned supermarket chains,' Hutchinson said. The US is the biggest market for Australian beef, which is used in 6 billion hamburgers across the United States each year, and industry calculates tariffs would cost US consumers an additional $600 million a year. National Farmers Federation President David Jochinke said he welcomed Albanese's ongoing commitment not to compromise biosecurity rules to satisfy US demands. Loading 'The science-based, biosecurity assessment processes undertaken by the Australian government are crucial in ensuring imports are safe,' Jochinke said. Australia's historic trade with the US dipped into a deficit for the first time earlier this year, just as Trump was preparing to announce tariffs. However, it returned to surplus on Thursday, handing Albanese and Farrell a more powerful argument because most countries, unlike Australia, sell more to the US than they buy from it. The US hostility towards trade under Trump has forced its allies to open up new trading avenues. Australia is closing in on a long-delayed free-trade deal with the EU, with Trade Minister Don Farrell meeting European counterparts in Paris this week. Loading UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer secured a partial exemption from metals tariffs when he visited Washington, creating a precedent for such an arrangement and fuelling Coalition calls for Albanese to get the same outcome. The prime minister said on Tuesday he would 'certainly' raise metals tariff with Trump, and on Thursday argued the case for a long-delayed EU trade deal that Farrell is now negotiating was bolstered by the chaos caused by Trump's tariff spree.
