April 21, 2015

Australia's live cattle exports to US still face challenges

While Australia's live export cattle industry is in negotiations with the United States to open up the market, many challenges have to be overcome.

Live export cattle consultant and veterinarian Dr. Ross Ainsworth said the US is eyeing Australia for live feeder cattle to help boost its national herd.

"The US herd is at its lowest for something like 60 years and they are also experiencing less live exports from Mexico and Canada, which are their usually sources," Ainsworth said. "With the Australian dollar like it is and cattle prices in Australia still relatively low, finally they are in a position that makes live export sensible."

However, Ainsworth also said that securing the market will be largely dependent on fulfilling health protocol requirements.

Adding to the uncertainty, the Australian Livestock Exporters Council said negotiations are standard practice and any live cattle trade with the US is a long way off.

Chief executive officer Alison Penfold said Australia's export industry is constantly pursuing markets through a protocol committee that is made up of exporters, producer representatives and the Federal Government.

The committee identifies priority markets where there are potential commercial market opportunities for the live export industry, and the US is only one of them, Penfold stressed.