July 27, 2012

 

Australia to continue supplying ractopamine-free beef

 

 

Despite Taiwan's removal of a ban on residues of the livestock leanness-enhancing drug in beef imports, Australia will continue to supply beef products that are free of ractopamine, an Australian interest group said Thursday (July 26).

 

"Australia will continue to provide Taiwan consumers with guaranteed, wholesome and safe beef and lamb, free of residues from drugs such as ractopamine," said Aaron Iori, a regional manager at Meat and Livestock Australia.

 

"We expect that the market will continue to determine demand for Australian beef and it is beneficial for consumers to have the choice to buy alternative products," he said in an email interview with CNA.

 

The Legislature's passage of amendments to the food safety act Wednesday (July 25) to allow ractopamine residues in beef, nonetheless, will have a certain impact on Australian beef exports to Taiwan, Iori said.

 

"Our expectations with the return of US beef to Taiwan there will be a reduced level of Australian beef exports, however, our safety credentials will remain the focus of our communication to consumers," Iori said.

 

Iori said the passage of the bill demonstrates that Taiwan has "a clear and open process for determining its import processes and protocols," which is a vital part of international trade.

 

Meat and Livestock Australia is a non-profit organisation that helps farmers promote Australian beef around the world.

 

Earlier this month, Iori forecast at a press conference in Taipei that Australian beef exports to Taiwan for 2012 will drop slightly to 31,000 tonnes from 36,700 tonnes last year.

 

Taiwan is among the top 10 world markets for Australian beef products, absorbing 40% of Australia's beef shank exports, according to the interest group.

 

In Australia, ractopamine is not registered for use in cattle, and residues of ractopamine are not permitted in beef, the organisation said.

 

A maximum residue level (MRL) for ractopamine in cattle therefore has not been set in Australia, and any detection of the drug would represent a violation of Australian standards, the organisation said.

 

Since 2003, over 300 samples of beef in Australia have been tested annually for ractopamine by the National Residue Survey and there have been no positive detections, the group said.