Australia seeks EU beef quota talks

Australia is seeking urgent talks with the EU over a new tariff quota on beef imports to ensure Australian producers will not be affected, said senior ministers on Thursday. 

The quota stems from a possible settlement between the US and the EU in a long-running dispute over hormone-treated beef. The new quota will allow an additional 20,000 tonnes of US beef into the EU duty-free for three years, followed by 45,000 tonnes for the fourth year.

Australia wants to ensure that the quota is not discriminatory to local beef exporters and that it provides equal opportunities for access, said Trade Ministry Simon Crean and Agriculture Minister Tony Burke.

The ministers said the tariff quota must be consistent with World Trade Organisation rules and be available to all suppliers on a non-discriminatory basis.

Australia exports beef worth US$105.8 million to the EU each year. The EU is a small volume but high value market.

The EU's current duty-free quota stands at 11,500 tonnes, rising to 31,500 tonnes during the next three years.