Latest news with #JulieCollins
SBS Australia
17 hours ago
- Business
- SBS Australia
Are Australians at risk from lifting the restrictions on US beef imports?
"Australia bans — and they're wonderful people, and wonderful everything — but they ban American beef. Yet we imported $3 billion of Australian beef from them just last year alone. They won't take any of our beef. They don't want it because they don't want it to affect their farmers and, you know what I don't blame them, but we're doing the same thing.' When United States President Donald Trump singled out Australia's ban on US beef imports, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would never compromise on protecting farmers or biosecurity. "We have made it very clear to the United States that we will not compromise on biosecurity. We will not weaken the measures that protect our farmers and producers from the risks of disease or contamination. Indeed, we've made it a priority to strengthen biosecurity, because one of the things that makes Australian food and fibre the best in the world is a people everywhere, know that it stands for quality. It also stands for safety." Now, ahead of the tariff deadline on August 1, Australia's restrictions on US beef imports have been dropped. But the government says the timing of the decision is a coincidence, and has nothing to do with Donald Trump. Minister for Agriculture, Julie Collins, says a review into the US beef ban began in 2015 under the Coalition Government. "This decision has been purely based on science and a rigorous assessment by my department. Biosecurity risk assessment process is very robust and I have faith in the officials in my department to do this appropriately. These are experts in the field. Australia's biosecurity system is world-renowned for a reason and this assessment has now been completed." In 2019, Australia changed restrictions to allow beef imports from cattle traceably born, raised, and slaughtered in the US. In practice, however, the ongoing biosecurity rules meant that only a small amount of beef, largely shelf-stable products, were imported from the US. "We are assured that the supply chain and traceability and the safety of any food coming into Australia is safe. The US, of course, has been able to bring beef into Australia since 2019. Our farmers, are of course, are exporting already to the United States. We're exporting over four billion dollars' worth of beef to the United States presently and our farmers are a net beneficiary of our two-way trading system." So, why was the ban imposed in the first place? And should Australians be concerned about eating beef imported from the US? In 2003, Australia placed restrictions on the import of US beef in response to an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease. Humans cannot contract mad cow disease, though in rare cases they can develop a variant which leads to dementia and premature death. However, the Australian food regulator deems US beef is low-risk. Trade Minister Don Farrell says the government would not compromise standards for trade. "We have not made any compromise and we certainly have not compromised Australia's strict biosecurity laws. This has been a process that's been underway for the last 10 years. It's now come to a completion and it's appropriate that we announce the results of that inquiry. But at no stage do we risk our terrific biosecurity standards for any trade arrangement." One key concern remaining after 2019 was that Mexico's livestock tracking system could inadvertently allow beef from disease-affected regions to enter Australia. However, the government says the review has found that the US Department of Agriculture protocols for beef imported from Canada and Mexico now address Australia's biosecurity concerns. Mark Thomas, the Chair of the Western Beef Association, says it's unclear how effective the US tracking system is. "Well, we implement an NIL system, as they call it, so any animal that's born on your property has a electronic tag, and that same tag is scanned and transferred whenever that animal leaves your property, all the way through to sort of slaughter. So an animal that's been slaughtered, they can go back and work out where that animal has been over its lifetime. I am unsure how quickly America can get up to speed. However, it's taken many, many years for Australia to implement that system and make sure that it works efficiently." Despite government assurances, National Party leader David Littleproud is among critics calling for an independent examination into the matter. "The government has not provided or released the protocols on which the beef from the U.S could be imported into this country. Those are the legal requirements that an importer would have to meet to bring beef from the United States into Australia, that was from Mexico or Canada. The fact they haven't done that raises serious concerns to me around how this decision has been made and the timing of it. If it was well planned, the department would be able to provide me with those details. They have not. I think the prudent way forward is to have an independent scientific panel review the department's decision and the protocols when they came out." Along with concerns about the spread of disease, there are also concerns about differing US regulations around the use of hormones and antibiotics on cattle. While some cattle in the US are given approved natural or synthetic hormones to help them grow, the US Food and Drug Administration regulates these, and experts say they are in extremely low levels. US beef, according to both Australian and US officials, is safe to eat, but is it better than Australian beef? Evangeline Mantzioris is the Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of South Australia. She says the diet of an animal impacts the nutritional value of the meat. "What it comes down to is the type of feed that the animals are given. So in the US they tend to be grain-fed whilst here in Australia, they tend to be grass-fed, and that produces differences in the way that the body of the cow handles it and in the way that they make and lay down fat in their body. The other thing that might make a slight difference is also the genetics of the cows. So assuming it's the same breed of cow, we expect grain-fed to lead to more fat in the meat compared to grass-fed." Studies show that grass-fed beef can be 30 to 75 per cent lower in fat than grain-fed. Grass-fed is also reported to have higher levels of beneficial Omega-3 fats, up to five times more antioxidants, and slightly higher protein, with some studies also indicating lower cholesterol. So, for consumers, choosing between local and imported beef will mostly come down to personal preference rather than health concerns. Dr Mantzioris says while the differences aren't major, grass-fed beef is the best option. "So if we combine all of those different components of the beef that we've looked at, overall grass fed beef, which is what we have in Australia, is the healthier option." But what about Australian farmers? When Australia lifted the ban, Donald Trump wrote on social media that the US was now going to sell 'so much beef' to Australia. Australia is the second largest exporter of beef products in the world. And while Australians are some of the highest per capita consumers of beef products, our relatively small population means we have a lot left to export. Mark Thomas says he isn't too worried about competing with U-S products. "Well, I suppose, from a from a cattle perspective's point of view, our only concern would be if we thought that US beef was going to compete with our own product here in Australia, and I don't believe that that is going to do so based on the price of cattle in the US over a longer period of time and considering their cattle numbers compared to what we have here in Australia." In fact, US cattle stocks have been in decline for two decades. The United States is the second largest importer of beef globally and cattle stocks in the country are the lowest they've been since the 1950's. The US Department of Agriculture says beef prices have increased by 8 per cent since the start of 2025, with one kilogram of beef costing around AU$30.. Mark Thomas says with beef shortages in the United States, it's unlikely the Australian market is going to be flooded with imported US beef. "Well, currently, there's a lot of Australian beef going into the US market, purely because they need it. At the moment, cattle prices in the US are just quoting a heavy steer close to $5 whereas that same animal in Australia is only going for $2.50 so how can they purchase an animal for $5 a kilo? Process it, send it to the other side of the world and expect to compete with the product that we have here?" While beef prices have been increasing in the United States, Australian beef exports broke an all-time monthly record in June. And the biggest buyer was, that's right, the United States. In New York, Stew Leonard Junior is the CEO of a grocery chain. He says he gets grass-fed beef from Australia and plans on splitting the tariff cost with his supplier. "We are a huge meat purchaser, and it's mainly the US. So you know, there could be some, that's one of our trains going by up there, okay, for the kids right there, they love that. But one of the things we don't get a lot from Australia, the only thing we do get is our grass-fed beef. They sell beautiful grass- fed beef in Australia. That's being tariffed a little bit. We're splitting that tariff with our supplier. We don't really buy beef from Canada or Mexico or Argentina."
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘This is very big': Delighted Trump hails Australian beef deal for a second day
Donald Trump has again riffed about Australia's decision to allow more US beef to come in to the country claiming on Friday it would be the 'first time' American beef would be sold in Australia. Seemingly out of the blue on Friday, and a full day after he declared victory due to Australia dropping its restrictions, Mr Trump was back on his TruthSocial platform talking about it again. 'Australia to take US BEEF for first time,' he wrote on Friday morning, US time. 'A very BIG market. I hope our GREAT FARMERS ARE HAPPY. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!' Australia had not banned US beef. But on Thursday, agriculture minister Julie Collins confirmed Australia will remove the ban on American beef that came from cattle originating in Canada and Mexico after a decade-long review. It was originally put in place to stop bovine spongiform encephalopathy, known as mad cow disease, from coming into Australia. Since 2019, Australia has allowed imports of beef raised and slaughtered in the US. But it did not allow for the import into Australia via the US of beef raised in neighbouring countries. Additional measures put in place by the US to track the origin of Canadian and Mexican beef are being cited as the reason Australia is now satisfied. 'For a long time, and even though we are great friends, they actually banned our Beef,' said Mr Trump on Thursday, US time. Now, we are going to sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World.' The US imports billions of dollars of Australian beef each years which is leaner than American beef. Decision based on 'science' The Albanese government has been quick to deny the timing has anything to do with drawn-out tariff talks with the US, reported NewsWire. But removing restrictions was one of Washington's key demands in tariff negotiations, with Mr Trump specifically accusing Australia of banning American beef during remarks on 'liberation day' – the day the US imposed blanket tariffs on all foreign imports, including Australian products. But both Ms Collins and Trade Minister Don Farrell have claimed it is simply a coincidence the beef review ended just weeks after the US President threatened a 200 per cent tariff on foreign-made pharmaceuticals. 'We haven't made any compromise, and we certainly haven't compromised Australia's strict biosecurity laws,' Senator Farrell told reporters huddled in a Parliament House corridor on Thursday. 'This has been a process that's been underway for the last 10 years. 'It's now come to a completion, and it's appropriate that we announce the results of that inquiry, but at no stage do we risk our terrific biosecurity standards for any trade arrangement.'
New York Post
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Trump touts end of ban on ‘magnificent' US beef imports to Australia: ‘We are going to sell so much'
They squashed their beef. President Trump celebrated the Australian government's decision Thursday to open its market to US beef, arguing the shift in policy will be a boon to American cattle ranchers. 'After many years Australia has agreed to accept American Beef!' Trump wrote on Truth Social. Advertisement Trump warned that other countries blocking US beef imports are 'ON NOTICE.' REUTERS 'For a long time, and even though we are great friends, they actually banned our Beef,' the president continued. 'Now, we are going to sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World.' 'The other Countries that refuse our magnificent Beef are ON NOTICE.' Advertisement Australia ended its ban on fresh and frozen US beef imports after a thorough review of US supply chains demonstrated no biosecurity risks to consumers Down Under, hoping to buy American steaks. 'My department officials have been across in the US. They've gone along the entire supply chain, including in abattoirs and cutting houses in the US, to ensure the safety and security of any beef along the supply chain that may come into Australia, and my experts are assured and are confident that we have this assessment correct,' Australia's Agriculture Minister Julie Collins told reporters. 'This decision has been purely based on science and a rigorous assessment by my department,' Collins said, when asked if the easing of restrictions came in response to Trump's tariff threats. The president announced a 10% tariff on Australian goods earlier this year and bemoaned the country's beef import restrictions in the process. Advertisement Australia banned the import of US beef in 2003. BLOOMBERG NEWS '[W]e imported $3 billion of Australian beef from them just last year alone. They won't take any of our beef,' Trump said in remarks from the White House in April. 'They don't want it because they don't want it to affect their farmers and, you know, I don't blame them, but we're doing the same thing right now.' Australia banned the import of fresh American beef products in 2003 due to concerns over mad cow disease. Since 2019, Australia has allowed the import of cattle raised in the US. 'All of our Nation's Ranchers, who are some of the hardest working and most wonderful people, are smiling today, which means I am smiling too,' Trump's post continued. 'Let's keep the Hot Streak going. IT'S THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA!' Advertisement Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins blamed 'non-scientific trade barriers' for the import ban. 'Gone are the days of putting American farmers on the sidelines,' Rollins said in a statement. '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.' US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer similarly argued that 'for decades, Australia imposed unjustified barriers on US beef, effectively barring US market access.' 'Yesterday's decision by Australia marks a major milestone in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for US farmers and ranchers,' Greer said in a statement. 'President Trump is taking decisive action to confront unfair trading practices, and Australia's decision to unlock market access for US beef is a direct result of his leadership.'
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Australia set to reduce US beef import restrictions; Trump warns other countries refusing ‘magnificent' meat — ‘on notice'
Australia announced its plan to reduce restrictions on beef imports from the United States on Thursday. While the Trump administration hailed this move as a major victory over 'non-scientific trade barriers', the US President used this as an opportunity to warn other countries that they are 'on notice' if they refuse their 'magnificent' cattle meat. While the country allowed entry of the meat grown in the US since 2019, Australia had banned those sourced from from Canada or Mexico. The restrictions were designed to prevent mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). 'Australia stands for open and free trade — our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this,' Australian Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said in a statement. The latest plan now will not compromise biosecurity, she added. The timing of the new, reduced restrictions has not been finalised. Australian demand for US beef is expected to remain low for reasons including a relatively weak Australian dollar. Beef prices have also rising in the US due to factors that include drought and shrinking domestic herd numbers, as per news agency AP. Over the last 20 years, the US administration has pushed for the benefits of the beef market access to Australia as part of the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the bilateral free trade deal. The US has maintained a trade surplus with Australia for decades. The Trump administration recently introduced additional movement controls that identify and trace all cattle from Mexico and Canada — the ones banned by Australia — to their farms of origin. Australian authorities were 'satisfied the strengthened control measures put in place by the US effectively manage biosecurity risks,' Collins said. This comes as producers in Australia fear that the export market would vanish overnight if diseases, including mad cow or foot-and-mouth disease, infected their cattle. Opposition lawmaker David Littleproud suspected the government was endangering Australia's cattle industry to appease Trump, as per news agency AP. The US President, in a in a celebratory post on Truth Social, said that even the two countries are 'great friends', Australia had banned beef from the country. 'After many years Australia has agreed to accept American Beef!… Now, we are going to sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World,' Trump wrote. Acknowledging the US ranchers, he said: 'All of our Nation's Ranchers, who are some of the hardest working and most wonderful people, are smiling today, which means I am smiling too. Let's keep the Hot Streak going. IT'S THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA!' Meanwhile, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L Rollins responded to Australia's announcement by congratulating Trump on a 'major trade breakthrough that gives greater access to US beef producers selling to Australia.' '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 in a statement. In the same post, Trump also issued a warning to 'other countries that refuse our magnificent meat'. Earlier during his game of chicken over tariffs, Trump had attacked Australian import restrictions on US beef. 'Australia bans — and they're wonderful people, and wonderful everything — but they ban American beef,' Trump had told reporters when he announced in April that tariffs of at least 10 per cent would be placed on Australian imports, with steel and aluminum facing a 50 per cent tariff. 'Yet we imported $3 billion of Australian beef from them just last year alone. They won't take any of our beef. They don't want it because they don't want it to affect their farmers and, you know, I don't blame them, but we're doing the same thing right now,' he had added. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Trump were to hold a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of a G7 summit in Canada last month. But it did not take place as Trump left early amid the then escalating Iran-Israel conflict situation. The Australian PM is said to be expecting a meet this year, however, there is no confirmation of a date being set. Australia's opposition to any US tariffs will be high on the agenda when Albanese secures his first meet with Trump since coming to power.
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Australia relaxes curbs on US beef imports that angered Trump
Australia has shipped between 150,000 tonnes and 400,000 tonnes of beef to the US every year since 1990. (EPA Images pic) CANBERRA : Australia will ease restrictions on beef imports from the US, the country's agriculture ministry said today, potentially smoothing trade talks with US President Donald Trump, who had attacked its rules. 'Still, the decision, which US agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins called a win for Trump, is unlikely to significantly boost US shipments because beef prices are much lower in Australia,' analysts said. Australia agriculture minister Julie Collins said in a statement that a 'rigorous science and risk-based assessment' had concluded that US measures to monitor and control the movement of cattle meant biosecurity risks were being effectively managed. The government 'will never compromise on biosecurity', she said, adding: 'Australia stands for open and fair trade – our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this'. Canberra has restricted US beef imports since 2003 due to concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease. Meat from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the US has been allowed into Australia since 2019. However, few suppliers were able to prove their animals had been only in the US, because cattle frequently moved between the US, Canada and Mexico without being adequately tracked. The US has been improving its ability to monitor animals' movements to limit the spread of avian influenza and the New World screwworm, a parasite that eats cattle alive. 'Recognising those improvements, Australia will now also accept beef sourced from cattle born in Canada or Mexico and legally imported and slaughtered in the US,' the agriculture ministry said. 'Australian firms will be able to apply for import permits from July 28,' it added. Almost double 'Gone are the days of putting American farmers on the sidelines,' US agriculture secretary Rollins said in a statement crediting Trump with opening Australia's market. 'It's absurd that non-scientific trade barriers prevented our beef from being sold to consumers in Australia for the last 20 years,' she said. News of Australia changing its policy was first reported by the Australian Financial Review. The report said Australia will use the easing of rules to argue its case for the US to wind back 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium and Trump's threat to impose a 200% tariff on pharmaceuticals. Collins said the decision was a purely scientific one. Trump in April singled out the beef trade disparity with Australia after Australia's beef exports to the US last year, reaching A$4 billion (US$2.64 billion) amid a slump in US beef production. Australia's biosecurity regimen aims to keep its cattle disease-free and help it preserve access to lucrative markets such as Japan and South Korea. Industry body Cattle Australia and the shadow agriculture minister said there should be an independent review of the decision before it goes into effect. 'There is simply too much at stake,' said Will Evans, Cattle Australia's CEO. 'The highest level of caution must be exercised to protect Australia's beef industry,' Evans said. US beef shipments to Australia restarted last year after a hiatus. However, exports remained tiny. Last year's shipment of 269 tonnes of beef to Australia was the most for any year, beating out the 263 tonnes sent in 1995, Australian customs data show. Australia has shipped between around 150,000 tonnes and 400,000 tonnes of beef every year to the US since 1990, with US fast-food chains prizing Australian product for its lower fat content and competitive prices. 'Cattle prices in the US are almost always higher than in Australia and are currently double Australian levels,' said Matt Dalgleish, a meat and livestock analyst at consultants Episode 3. 'This is not going to displace Australian beef in the Australian market,' he said.
