Australia begins beef import risk assessments

Three separate risk analyses are underway assessing the health risks of applications to import beef from the US, Canada and Japan into Australia.

Biosecurity Australia commenced the separate risk analyses last week after the countries had applied for market access following a lifting on the restrictions on beef imports from countries which have had bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on March 1 this year.

Last month, the Australian government caved in to public pressure over the decision and imposed the tough new import risk analysis process to help safeguard public confidence in Australian beef production and the country's quarantine system.

Biosecurity Australia chief executive officer Colin Grant said the IRAs form a separate and parallel process to that being conducted by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to assess potential food safety risks from beef from countries that have previously had outbreaks of BSE.

Meanwhile, Biosecurity Australia will draft the IRA reports with the assistance of an expert panel, and stakeholders will then have 60 days to consider and comment on it.  An independent eminent scientists group will review each IRA within the two-year timeframe.