March 24, 2025

Australia rejects US push for beef import access

Cattle Australia has stated its strong opposition to any proposal that would compromise the country's biosecurity system, as US cattle producers increase pressure to open Australia's market to fresh US beef imports.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has criticised the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement in a submission to the Office of the US Trade Representative. The group described the agreement as unfair to US cattle producers and called for volume limits on Australian beef imports. It also suggested that if Australia does not allow US beef imports, the US should respond with trade restrictions.

According to the NCBA, Australia has had unrestricted access to the US market for two decades, selling $28.7 billion worth of beef. In contrast, US beef exports to Australia have been limited to cooked products worth US$31 million over the same period due to Australia's ban on fresh US beef.

The NCBA submission stated that Australia had repeatedly delayed approval for US beef imports under the pretext of sanitary concerns and bureaucratic hurdles. The group argued that US food safety and animal health standards are internationally recognised and that US beef does not pose a risk to Australian consumers or livestock.

It urged the Trump administration to enforce trade measures against Australia, including safeguards on Australian grain-finished beef imports and an audit of Australia's animal health and food safety standards. The NCBA also expressed concerns about Australian dominance in the US Wagyu market, arguing that unrestricted Australian beef imports were affecting American Wagyu producers.

Beyond Australia, the NCBA submission called for a suspension of beef imports from Brazil and Paraguay over food safety concerns. It also opposed increased access for Argentine beef and recommended trade negotiations with Korea to remove restrictions on US beef imports.

In response, Cattle Australia chief executive Dr Chris Parker said the Australian industry would not accept any compromise on biosecurity standards. He reaffirmed that market access decisions were based on science and biosecurity protocols set by the Australian government.

He confirmed plans to meet with NCBA leaders in the US next month to discuss these trade issues.

- Beef Central