Qld beef sector demands review of US import ban backflip

Queensland’s multibillion-dollar beef industry has the most to lose from the federal government’s decision to discontinue a ban on US imports, the sector has warned. TAKE OUR POLL

Queensland’s multibillion-dollar beef industry has the most to lose from the federal government’s decision to discontinue a ban on US imports, the sector has warned.

Fears Australia’s borders could be breached by major diseases including mad cow has prompted the Nationals and farming peak bodies, including Cattle Australia and AgForce, to call for an independent review into the decision.

The federal government on Thursday confirmed Australia would now allow US beef imports from cattle raised in Mexico or Canada, which had been banned due to concerns around diseases like foot-and-mouth or mad cow disease.

The ban had been in place since 2003 and relaxed slightly in 2019 to allow beef which could be proven to have originated in the US, but restrictions were kept on imports from other North American countries in the supply chain.

Beginning in late 2024 the US put in place more robust controls to ensure all cattle in the supply chain could be identified and traced back to the farm.

The ban was one of Mr Trump’s core trade grievances with Australia, and the US declared the backflip was yet another example of the President’s negotiation skills.

However Trade Minister Don Farrell said the government did not link biosecurity issues with trade issues.

Trade Minister Don Farrell on Thursday. Picture: Martin Ollman/NCA NewsWire

Nationals leader David Littleproud has called for an independent scientific review of the decision after claiming he had not received enough detailed information about the new protocol being imposed.

“It raises suspicion because of the fact that Anthony Albanese is trying to get a meeting with Donald Trump,” he said.

Cattle Australia has backed the call for the review, with chief executive Will Evans saying the “highest level of caution must be exercised” to protect the local industry.

“There is simply too much at stake when it comes to Australia’s world-leading biosecurity status not to get a second opinion,” he said.

AgForce Queensland general president Shane McCarthy warned Queensland had the most to gain from the US dropping tariffs, but the most to lose if biosecurity was compromised when letting US beef originating from other countries into Australia.

Queensland is Australia’s largest beef processing jurisdiction, with the state exporting $2.15bn worth of agriculture — most of it livestock and livestock products — to the United States last financial year.

AgForce Queensland general president Shane McCarthy

The state’s beef and beef processing industries were worth more than $10bn to the economy that same year according to state government figures.

The Queensland government was blindsided by Australia’s decision to lift biosecurity restrictions on US beef imports, with Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett learning of the potentially multi-billion dollar trade shift on the radio when visiting farmers.

Mr Perrett said he was extremely disappointed by the lack of consultation, particularly given Queensland’s beef producers accounted for almost half the national herd.

He called for transparency on how the decision was made, including what scientific advice was considered, what guarantees were in place to protect Australia’s biosecurity, and whether industry had been consulted.

Fourth-generation grazier Will Wilson, who runs Calliope Station in Central Queensland, said Australia wasn’t buying US beef simply because it was of a poor quality.

He wanted firm guarantees from both state and federal governments that any trade deal designed to placate Donald Trump would not jeopardise Australia’s disease-free status.

“If you’re going to bring in a bit of cheap beef to sell down at the local taco shop, are you going to have an insurance company behind you to protect us from the disease you might bring in?” he said.

Grazier Will Wilson at Calliope Station. Picture: Steve Vit

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the US beef imports review conducted by her department included a rigorous science- and risk-based assessment over the past decade.

“The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is satisfied the strengthened control measures put in place by the US effectively manage biosecurity risks,” she said.

“Australia stands for open and fair trade – our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this.”

US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said Australia’s past ban on US beef had been absurd.

“This is yet another example of the kind of market access the President negotiates to bring America into a new golden age of prosperity, with American agriculture leading the way,” she said.

Meat and Livestock Australia managing director Michael Crowley said the importation of US beef will have minimal market impact.

“It is unlikely there will be an adverse effect on Australian cattle producers,” he said.

“The potential for US beef to be imported into Australia in large volumes is minimal, given the high demand for beef in the US, the low US cattle herd, the strength of the Australian dollar, our competitive domestic supply, and most importantly Australians’ strong preference for high-quality, tasty and nutritious Australian beef.”

Originally published as Qld beef sector demands review of US import ban backflip