On The Land
3 August, 2025
Producers nervous over biosecurity decision
CALLS are getting louder for an independent scientific review to reassess the decision to lift biosecurity restrictions on beef imported from the United States.
AgForce has backed calls from Cattle Australia for a review following the Federal Government’s decision to lift some biosecurity restrictions last week.
AgForce general president Shane McCarthy said the decision may have blindsided some cattle producers, as industry was not aware of how quickly and in what manner the decision would be announced.
“The Health Minister announcing it on ‘Sunrise’ was not a great look,” he said.
“An independent panel of scientists must review this decision to make sure all protocols were followed. This is not out of line with independent reviews of other recent biosecurity measures which all underwent this process.
“If the process was vigorous and robust this should not be a problem.”
He said the Queensland beef industry would be very concerned, despite reassurances from the Minister and the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry that cattle born and raised in Mexico or Canada before slaughter in the US would comply with Australia’s standards for biosecurity and food safety.
