THE Australian Government has opened the door for imports of beef from the United States saying it is satisfied with traceability programs put in place by the American industry.

While US beef has technically not been banned from Australia since 2019, country of origin labelling requirements ensuring that beef has not come from Canada or Mexico have prevented it from being able to export to Australia.

Today’s announcement will allow for expanded access to include beef sourced from cattle born in Canada or Mexico which is legally imported and slaughtered in the US. Beef Central understands US exporters will have to demonstrate full traceability back to the farm gate to enter Australia.

“The Albanese Labor Government will never compromise on biosecurity,” Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said.

“The US Beef Imports Review has undergone a rigorous science and risk-based assessment over the past decade.

“The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is satisfied the strengthened control measures put in place by the US effectively manage biosecurity risks,” Ms Collins said.

“Australia stands for open and fair trade – our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this.”

The Australian Government has been under pressure from United States President Donald Trump to lift the restrictions, with the president acting on lobbying from US cattle industry groups. Australian beef is currently heading across the pacific in record volumes with the trade last year worth $14 billion.

Alongside the traceability requirements being about biosecurity, industry groups such as Cattle Australia have been saying the ban is about making sure US exporters are subject to the same requirements Australians are subject to when exporting the US.

MLA leader says impact of US and Canadian imports expected to be minimal

MLA managing director Michael Crowley said the impact of US and Canadian beef entering Australia is expected to be minimal.

“It is unlikely there will be an adverse effect on Australian cattle producers.

“The potential for US beef to be imported into Australia in large volumes is minimal, given the high demand for beef in the US, the low US cattle herd, the strength of the Australian dollar, our competitive domestic supply, and most importantly Australians’ strong preference for high-quality, tasty and nutritious Australian beef,” Mr Crowley said.

“In fact, demand for Australian beef in the US continues to grow.

“In June 2025, exports to the US rose 24 percent year-on-year, despite a 10pc tariff introduced in April,” he said.

“US consumers value the quality, taste and nutritional profile of Australian beef.

“Australian beef compliments the US production system and there remains strong demand for Australian beef in the US market.”

Mr Crowley said the American cattle herd is currently at its lowest point since 1951.

“The American industry relies on imports to meet its own domestic demand.

“Australia and the US have had a free trade agreement in place for over 20 years and are long term trading partners.”

Mr Crowley said the Australian Government decision to permit beef imports from the United States and Canada follows a comprehensive risk assessment, ensuring that all biosecurity protocols and import conditions meet Australia’s high standards.

“The finalised federal government health certification and import permit conditions reflect stringent safeguards to prevent the introduction of exotic diseases and uphold the integrity of Australia’s biosecurity system.

“MLA supports science-based decision-making and the continued vigilance of our national biosecurity framework to protect the interests of Australian producers and consumers,” he said.

Read Mr Crowley’s full statement here.

For further details on the review supporting the Albanese Government’s decision click here.

Littleproud asks for the science and departmental briefing

On an interview on ABC radio this morning, National leader David Littleproud was asked whether the Nationals supported the US beef import decision.

“I want to see the science and any decision should be predicated on science,” Mr Littleproud said.

“I’m suspicious about the speed in which this has been done, but we need to give confidence to the industry. This is not just about animal welfare, this is about human welfare. This is about US beef potentially coming into this country and having a human impact.”

So I think it’s important that the government’s very transparent about the science and I don’t think it’s even beyond the question to have an independent panel review that science, to give confidence to everybody about how that science was predicated. But the protocols that have been put in place are important too.

A review was undertaken in 2024. It said that every animal must have a pre and post slaughter check by a vet. We haven’t seen what those protocols are.

And I think the fact that government hasn’t been transparent in that is adding to some concern within the industry and I think more broadly in the community that we should be worried about if they haven’t done the right thing.

This is the onus of responsibility on the government. But we need to make sure that we provide that confidence.

So I think once we see the protocols, there may be a necessity for an independent panel to review what the Department has come to in light of the fact that this has happened at such speed and to give confidence and, I think that’s what the Australian public should have in their minds is that confidence of what’s coming in.

But having Just having said that, understand there’s not a lot of US beef comes into this country. I think at its peak, annual imports hit about 210 tonnes. But we need to be able to provide the certainty around human health. Australian families need to know that they can go to the supermarket and if they do pick up a US piece of beef that they know with confidence that all the protocols have been put in place.

Asked how much of the decision was built around politics, tariffs and trade access with the US, Mr Littleproud said Australia had been left flat-footed in trying to deal with President Trump.

“There’s been a procession of world leaders through the White House cutting deals. We haven’t done anything. Anthony Albanese hasn’t been near the White House, hasn’t been near Donald Trump. And as you add that to AUKUS, Australia is being left behind.

“And what I fear is this could be a cultural shift where a Prime Minister is prepared to catch up at the expense of science and biosecurity (in the case of US beef imports).

“So that’s why it’s important we get transparency on this science and the protocols around the conditions in which beef can come here. What we have to do is make sure that in terms of trade that we actually have a compelling case with the US. In fact, we just dropped another cheque for $800 million for AUKUS. That’s on top of the $800 million we dropped about six months ago.

Surely we have a compelling case for a Prime Minister that could be proactive but has been flat footed to have cut a deal with President Trump. He’s a deal maker and we have a trading deficit with the United States.

“We have a more compelling case than when we got a carve out in 2018 with President Trump. I think Anthony Albanese has been shown to be deficient in his dealings with the United States, a key ally and trading partner.”

No risk and must be science-based say farmer bodies

National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said the US has had access to the Australian market since 2019, provided it could verify its beef came from cattle born, raised, and slaughtered in the US.

“The report released today is the result of a long-standing, science-based review by the Australian Government into the biosecurity risks posed by cattle raised in Canada and Mexico, but processed in and exported from the US.

“The NFF’s been clear that the revised request from the US needed to undergo the standard, science-based assessment to protect our biosecurity, and should be dealt with separate from any tariff negotiations,” he said.

“The Australian Government has assured industry that they have undertaken the standard, science-based review process to protect Australia’s biosecurity.

“Australia’s relationship with the US is deep and multi-faceted, underpinned by the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Free and fair trade relies on the reciprocal recognition of trusted standards and processes between trading partners.”

Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said the Federal Government must be sure any imported product did not risk the local industry.

“There’s no second chance when it comes to protecting Australia’s multi-billion dollar livestock industry from the threat of any biosecurity risks.

“Australia produces some of the cleanest, safest and healthiest food in the world and the government must be one hundred percent sure any imported product doesn’t risk devastating the local industry,” he said.

“Traceability is key when it comes to managing biosecurity risks and we must never compromise on our strict entry requirements.”

Read what Texas Tech University Professor Mark Miller said about US beef imports earlier this month.