Restrictions may be lifted on beef entering Australia that was slaughtered in the US but raised in Mexico and Canada. Photos: Michelle Kroll.
The Federal Government is reviewing Australia’s strict biosecurity laws in relation to beef imported from the United States, in the hope of securing an exemption from Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Health Minister Mark Butler has confirmed the review, stating that it will specifically examine beef from Mexico and Canada that is slaughtered in the US.
“Our biosecurity officials have been reviewing that question to see whether that situation complies with our very strict biosecurity laws,” he said.
“This will be a decision taken on its merits, not for convenience, not to get a deal.
“We’ll be taking a decision in the national interest in this area.”
American-grown beef is already allowed into Australia under strict biosecurity conditions since a ban was lifted in 2019, although Australia hasn’t imported any since then.
Anthony Albanese insisted that his government would not compromise on biosecurity rules, even if it meant obtaining an exemption from US tariffs.
“We’ll never loosen any rules regarding our biosecurity,” the Prime Minister said on Friday (6 June).
“If things can be sorted out in a way that protects our biosecurity, of course, we don’t just say no … But our first priority is biosecurity.”
That point was reinforced by Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, who issued a statement saying decisions on allowing more US beef to Australia would be made based on science.
“We will always work in Australia’s national interest,” she said.
“We do not compromise on biosecurity.
“All products entering Australia have to meet rigorous biosecurity standards.”
None of these remarks have satisfied the Coalition, however, with the Nationals in particular saying easing restrictions on US beef imports would be a dangerous move.
Nationals leader David Littleproud said Australia had a biosecurity advantage that should not be traded away just to appease the US President.
“The United States uses cattle from Mexico and Canada in their supply chain that poses a potential risk to our industry, and ignoring those risks would be dangerous,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Rather than jeopardise our beef industry, Australia should be leveraging off our strong historical ties in areas such as critical minerals and AUKUS, using real leadership to obtain a fair deal.
“Biosecurity is a non-negotiable. We have the world’s best beef, which is used in 6 billion hamburgers across the US each year.
“We rely on our biosecurity protections to enable us to continue to export and build our economy, while also enjoying its benefits at home.
“Our beef must absolutely not be put on the negotiating table this month, and I call on the Prime Minister to rule it out.”
Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie agreed, insisting Australia’s beef industry should not be used as a pawn in trade talks with the US.
“We need to be making decisions about importing beef based on science and the biosecurity risk posed by those imports, not in some sort of compromise deal or no-deal trade-off with the United States,” Senator McKenzie says.
“It seems this is again one of the most anti-farming governments, if these reports are true.”
The Prime Minister is hoping to meet with President Trump later this month on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where he plans to push for an exemption from the blanket tariffs placed on imports into America.
Mr Albanese said he is expecting the conversation to be respectful.
“I’m looking forward to meeting Donald Trump face to face,” he said.
“We’ve had three conversations. They’ve been constructive, they’ve been polite, and they’ve been respectful.
“That’s the way I deal with people, and I’ll deal with that in an appropriate way, in our national interest.
“The United States is an important ally for Australia. There are obviously issues, not between Australia and the United States. It’s not like Australia’s been singled out for any particularly egregious treatment.
“It’s that across the board. These tariffs have been imposed, including on Australia.
“We think because of a range of issues – our free trade agreement, the fact that the US has a trade surplus to Australia – this is an act of economic self-harm. And we’ll continue to advocate for Australia’s interests.”
The Prime Minister stressed that Australia’s relationship with the US was not one of subservience.
“I deal with people, whoever they are, in the same respectful way. I expect respect back,” he said.
“I’m the Prime Minister of Australia. We don’t have a subservient relationship to any nation. We’re a sovereign nation that stands on our own two feet.”
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
