Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed not to compromise biosecurity as trade negotiations over beef are set to top the agenda in crucial talks with US President Donald Trump.
Cattle Australia disputes that claim, because a ban on US beef was lifted in 2019, provided the cattle is born, raised and slaughtered in the US.
But concerns over “mixed herds” mean beef from the US rarely makes it to Australian plates.
US exporters are currently unable to prove their herds don’t include beef that was born in Mexico and Canada, which are still rated a biosecurity risk, then later slaughtered in the US.
“We haven’t been assured there’s a system that allows the appropriate tracing of animals, or appropriate traceback of animals,” Cattle Australia chief executive Dr Chris Parker said.
A review is underway into whether that should change, which could be used as a bargaining chip for Trump to drop all tariffs against Australia.
“You shouldn’t cut a deal at any cost, and particularly the cost of Australian biosecurity,” Nationals leader David Littleproud said.
“This will decimate the agricultural sector if we blink and allow President Trump to be able to roll over us and our biosecurity standards.”
Albanese today assured the industry he would not jeopardise biosecurity during upcoming negotiations.
“Our first priority is biosecurity and there’ll be no compromise on that,” he said.
“If things can be sorted out, in a way that protects our biosecurity, of course, we don’t just say no.
“I deal with people, whoever they are, in the same respectful way. I expect respect back.
“I’m the prime minister of Australia, we don’t have a subservient relationship to any nation.”
Albanese is expected to meet Trump face-to-face within the next two weeks, likely on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Canada.
That meeting could make or break trade negotiations concerning several industries.
