With reports of an emerging gap between the high value of Australian beef compared to the United States providing incentive for the country’s beef processors to regain access to our domestic market, the Cattle Council of Australia is keeping an eye on the US’s increased engagement on global beef markets.
Cattle Council president Howard Smith said whilst Australia’s beef exports continue to be high there is a push from key trading partners for increased fresh (chilled or frozen) beef and beef product imports into Australia.
It will be the first time in over a decade the US exports beef into our Australian domestic market if beef trade recommences between the two countries.
In March this year the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources provided our beef industry stakeholders with a timely opportunity to contribute to a draft Policy Review of Import Requirements for Fresh (Chilled or Frozen) Beef and Beef Products for Human Consumption from the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Vanuatu.
Noticing an increasing market incentive for the US to recommence exporting beef to Australia, the Cattle Council responded as part of a joint Red Meat Advisory Council submission to the policy review with the clear intention “that support of free trade is essential” given Australia’s beef industry is a majority exporter, but with clear recommendations to assure Australia’s world leading clean and green status remains intact.
In 2016 Australia exported a total of 242,013 tonnes to the US of which 61,364 tonnes were chilled and 180,649 were frozen.
“Our submission recommendations are clear that fresh beef must be compliant with all relevant provisions of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption,” Mr Smith said.
“Supply chains must have equivalent robust traceability systems for food recall events to ensure that imported product is safe, wholesome and properly labeled and described.”
The Cattle Council went on to say imported beef must be tested for residues and contaminants at risk-based frequencies no less than those applied to Australian beef.
Importation supply chains need to be able to demonstrate they have in place closed and audited, in-country animal traceability systems equivalent to Australia’s National Livestock Identification System. It is also essential that imported product does not threaten Australia’s market access and biosecurity protocols, which underpin the strong relationships Australia enjoys with its trading partners.
“To ensure individual animal, whole-of-life, in country traceability applicant countries would need an equivalent closed audited production system to verify that beef exported to Australia came only from animals that were bred, born, raised and slaughtered in the applicant country.
“This is critical to ensure all animals are subject to the equivalent standard of production required in the applicant country and are free from disease, residues and banned substances including restricted animal material and beta-agonists (medications).
“This is essential as beef and beef products derived from animals with supply chains outside of approved applicant countries would not be eligible for export to Australia.
A key aspect in the Cattle Council’s recommendations is truth in labeling of product to be eligible of export to Australia.
“Fresh beef must be the product of animals bred, born, raised and slaughter in the applicant country within an accredited, traceable and audited supply chain,” MR Smith said.
“Ineligible beef product sourced from outside an accredited supply chain must not be relabeled or re-exported to Australia as product from the applicant country.”