Australia Approves U.S. Beef

U.S. beef could once again make its way to Australia. It marks a return for American beef after Australia officials had banned it because of “Mad Cow Disease,” or bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) outbreaks. This change takes place as American and Australia politicians continue their trade negotiations.

Australia has allowed limited imports of beef grown in the United States since 2019. But as the Associated Press pointed out, “…Australia has not allowed imports from the U.S. of beef sourced from Canada or Mexico because of the disease risk. But the U.S. has recently introduced additional movement controls that identify and trace all cattle from Mexico and Canada to their farms of origin.”

Australian Agriculture Minister Julie Collins addressed the previous concerns about BSE

“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.”

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Buck Wehrbein pointed out the years-long frustration from American beef producers that could finally ease. “For 20 years, US beef was denied access to Australia while Australia exported $29 billion of beef to US consumers. The lack of two-way, science-based trade has been a sticking point for many years, and we are pleased that President Trump has successfully opened the Australian market to American beef.”

Wehrbein added this about the president. “NCBA has spent decades working to correct this trade imbalance and we are proud to have a president who is willing to fight for American farmers and ranchers, expand export markets, and fix unfair trade agreements across the world.”

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