Lib plan to ban Chile salmon imports

Tighter biosecurity measures that would stop Chilean salmon — that local industry fears poses a risk — would be implemented immediately under a Coalition government, Duniam pledges.

State Minister for Industry, Business and Resources Eric Abetz and Shadow Minister for the Environment, Fisheries and Forestry Jonno Duniam speak to the media on the Hobart waterfront on Monday, March 31, 2025.

A Dutton Coalition Government would immediately ban the import of Chilean salmon products into Australia, Senator Jonno Duniam pledged on Monday.

The local salmon industry is concerned imported Chilean salmon poses a range of potential biosecurity risks on top of risks to human health through antibiotic and pesticide residues, a new report says.

The import of Chilean salmon products was made possible by the 2008 Australia-Chile Fair Trade Agreement, subject to a 1999 Import Risk Analysis.

Shadow Environment, Fisheries and Forestry Minister, Jonno Duniam said the danger to the local industry was high.

“It is a slap in the face to Tasmania’s salmon workers and the industry that the Albanese Labor Government has allowed the importation of Chilean salmon products,” Senator Duniam said.

“These products pose a very real threat to our salmon industry and the wider natural environment, risking the introduction of new salmon diseases into the state.

“We all saw what happened this summer when a new, naturally occurring disease struck salmon farmers in the south.

“Just imagine the damage that an imported disease could do, not just to our salmon industry, but also potentially to the wider natural environment.”

Senator Duniam said the ban would be implemented immediately the Coalition came to power.

Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Eric Abetz backed the Coalition pledge.

“As a state government, we welcome Peter Dutton and Jonathan Duniam’s announcement in relation to Chile and salmon,” he said.

“When you’ve got a study that is over 25 years old being relied upon by the local member and the minister responsible, you know that the due diligence has not been undertaken.”

Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin speaks to the media on the Hobart waterfront on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Salmon Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said tight biosecurity rules were vital to the industry’s future.

“I’ve probably spent more time worrying about this Chilean import decision than probably Macquarie Harbour,” he said.

“Over the last six months, it’s been something that the industry has been deeply concerned about.

“What we’ve been dealing with last four weeks around implications of what happens when we have a biosecurity risk or outbreak or a challenge, shows how seriously you need to take this.

“And the decision to allow Chilean imports into Australia was made by some bureaucrats on the basis of a 25-year-old risk review with really little, if any, consideration of the implications for the Australian seafood industry.”

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said the Liberals’ plan could have unintended consequences.

“What Senator Duniam and Peter Dutton have announced today could put at risk, of course, Australia’s international trade.

“Over 70 per cent of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry products is exported overseas, and we need a careful, considered government to make decisions in our nation’s best interests.

“Tasmanian farmers and Australian farmers know that Labor has the track record when it comes to restoring our international relationships.

“They also know, of course, that we have removed the more than $20bn worth of trade impediments that we inherited from the former government.”

Originally published as Lib plan to ban Chile salmon imports