Australia to ease US beef import restrictions
Australia will ease restrictions on beef imports from the US from July 28, the agriculture ministry has confirmed.
The decision follows a scientific review that found US biosecurity controls now meet Australian standards.
Restrictions had been in place since 2003 due to BSE concerns. Since 2019, only beef from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the US was permitted, but tracking issues limited exports. The updated rules will now include cattle legally imported into the US from Canada or Mexico.
Agriculture minister Julie Collins said Australia’s biosecurity would not be compromised. Industry body Cattle Australia has called for an independent review.
Analysts say the move is unlikely to impact the local market due to high US beef prices.
