Nationals Leader, David Littleproud, said he feared the Albanese Government was prepared to trade away Australia’s biosecurity advantage to appease the Trump Administration, after reports the government had put beef imports on the negotiating table.
Mr Littleproud said Australia’s strong biosecurity must remain a priority, instead of being used as a bargaining tool by Labor.
“Australia should not be trading its beef industry away in trade talks with the U.S,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The United States uses cattle from Mexico and Canada in their supply chain that poses a potential risk to our industry and ignoring those risks would be dangerous.
“Rather than jeopardise our beef industry, Australia should be leveraging off our strong historical ties and areas such as critical minerals and AUKUS, using real leadership to obtain a fair deal.”
It comes after Australian Government officials have suggested biosecurity laws could be tweaked, ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meeting President Trump later this month.
Mr Littleproud said Australian farms and farmers must not be put at risk, with the red meat and livestock industry making a significant contribution to the Australian economy.
In 2022-2023, Australia’s red meat and livestock industry turnover was $81.7 billion and the industry employed 418,921 people.
In 2023, Australia exported 67 per cent of its total beef and veal production, valued at $11.3 billion.
“Biosecurity is a non-negotiable. We have the world’s best beef, which is used in six billion hamburgers across the US each year,” Mr Littleproud said.
“We rely on our biosecurity protections to enable us to continue to export and build our economy, while also enjoying its benefits at home. Our beef must absolutely not be put on the negotiating table this month and I call on the Prime Minister to rule it out.”
Shadow Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism, Kevin Hogan, says the Labor Government must not compromise on our biosecurity laws.
“We cannot and must not slacken our biosecurity laws for any country. Australia’s import policies are based on rigorous, science-based assessments – not political expediency” Mr Hogan said.
“In addition, any further access must be contingent on equivalent standards of traceability and disease risk management.”
“Australia’s National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) provides whole-of-life traceability for every animal from paddock to plate. If the US wants to expand beef access to our market, they must meet the same standards they expect of us,” he said.
“The principle of equivalency must apply. Just as our exporters meet the US’s traceability and certification requirements, we should expect the same level of transparency and assurance in return.”
“Australia has world-class beef and biosecurity rules surrounding all imports to protect that, along with our other wonderful produce.”
