February 22, 2005

Australia unhappy over current beef export quota, seeks review

Australia's Federal Government has announced an independent panel to review the US' beef exports quota that gives Australian exporters a 378,000 tonne share.

But expectations are that this process will be more division than previous reviews.

A three-member team will work to conclude the review by the middle of the year, so any changes can be implemented before the A$1.5 billion quota is allocated.

The current quota has stirred up controversy in a sector with Australian cattle exporters largely unpleased.

The Cattle Council has called for a quick review to ease tensions within the industry over the quota issue.