June 28, 2007

Australian producers want labeling laws for US and Brazil beef products
 

The Australian Beef Association (ABA) is urging the country's Agriculture Department to enforce labelling laws on US/Brazilian beef Imports.

Chairman, Brad Bellinger said Australia's beef producers, which had produced safe and healthy beef all this while, have had NLIS forced on them, whilst the Government allows in beef from Brazil and the US. The former having been hit with FMD previously while the latter has had mad cow disease.

Despite a history of these diseases, neither country has traceback regulations. Brazilian beef has come under greater scrutiny from Russian authorities whilst US beef is still viewed with suspicion in South Korea and Japan, he said.

By bringing US and Brazilian beef products, there is a chance that contamination could occur and affect the country's own Japanese and South Korean market.

As Australia is already the second largest beef exporter in the world after Brazil, Bellinger saw no reason why the country should import Brazilian beef.