Australian farmers plan protest against BSE decision

In Australia, farmers are planning to oppose the government's decision to allow beef imports to Australia from countries which have had bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

This is despite a Government decision earlier this month to introduce tough new quarantine guidelines which would delay any imports by at least two years, and could prevent some beef imports altogether.

The rally is being planned for May 11, but will be competing with the delivery of the Federal Budget for crucial media and political attention.

The Australian Beef Association is helping convene the rally, and alerts will be sent to more than 20,000 supporters of the cause who have pledged their opposition to the import decision on media networking site, Facebook.