What prompted the decision to remove the blanket ban on beef imports from countries that have had BSE?
• For some years the Government has been requested by overseas countries to review this policy in light of new, internationally accepted science around BSE. The threat of trade action against Australia has brought the matter to a head. • Two major scientific reports* prepared by interdepartmental committees over the past five years have concluded that the absolute risk from any future importation of beef products from ‘BSE controlled risk’ countries to the Australian population is likely to be negligible. • With science telling us the disease can be controlled with the right processes in place, overseas countries believe we have been using an unfair trade barrier. • Almost all other countries in the world have changed their policies in this area including exporters such as NZ and sensitive export markets such as Korea and Japan. Failing to address international pressure could put part of Australia’s $6 billion worth of beef exports a year in jeopardy.
