Cattle Australia has vowed to “vigorously oppose” any import proposal that would undermine Australia’s science-based biosecurity system as US cattle producers ramp up a campaign to open Australia’s market to fresh US beef imports.

As US president Donald Trump continues to rapidly reset long-standing tariff arrangements, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has taken aim at the beef trade between Australia and the US in a public document published online.

In a strident formal response to a request by the Office of the US Trade Representative to identify “unfair” trade practices and “harm from non-reciprocal trade arrangements”, the NCBA has described the US-Australia Free Trade Agreement as “by far the most lop-sided and unfair trade deal” for US cattle producers”.

“Unfettered access”

It has urged the Trump administration to place volume limits on Australian beef imports, and suggested America “reciprocate” if Australia does not accept US beef imports.

Australia had enjoyed “unfettered access” to the US market for the past 20 years, selling $28.7 billion worth of beef into the US over that time, the NCBA submission states.

However, with fresh US beef banned in Australia, the US had sold just $31 million worth of cooked products beef products to Australia over the same period.

“For 20 years, Australia has used a myriad of sanitary concerns and endless bureaucratic red tape to delay the approval of US beef even though the United States is internationally recognized as having some of the highest food safety and animal health standards in the world,” the published letter to Ambassador Jamieson Greer, Office of the United States Trade Representative, signed by Kent Bacus, Executive Director, NCBA Government Affairs, said.

“For the past few years, we have been told by the Australian government that we are in the final stages of approval, yet we continue to see delays.

“US cattle and beef do not pose a threat to Australian consumers and Australian livestock, and this is not how allies and trade partners should behave. This is a slap in the face to U.S. cattle producers and enough is enough.

“If the Australians will not accept our beef products, then it is only fair that we reciprocate.”

Trump urged to ‘hold Australia accountable’

The NCBA submission recommends President Trump “level the playing field” by “holding Australia accountable” and “delivering full, unrestricted market access for US beef exports to Australia”.

It urges the Trump administration to consider implementing volume-based safeguards on fresh and frozen imports of grain-finished beef from Australia, “to reflect industry concerns on imported grain-finished beef and the disadvantage of the strong US dollar”.

“Furthermore, USDA should initiate a full audit of Australian animal health standards for cattle and food safety standards for beef and beef products.

“This should also take into account the rate of rejected shipments at U.S. customs over the past five years, and if necessary, increase inspection rates to 100 percent until further audits are conducted to confirm systemic problems have been resolved.”

It said the Australian beef industry estimates it owns 48 percent of total Wagyu beef sales in the US, which was “particularly concerning” for the 1800 members of the American Wagyu Association (AWA) who were heavily invested in the production of Wagyu beef cattle.

“They are concerned that Australia’s unrestricted access to the US market coupled with the weak Australian dollar will continue to undermine US Wagyu sales in this highly competitive niche market.

“The weak Australian dollar coupled with the one-sided trade deal is not going to help the U.S. cattle herd recover any sooner. We need action.”

The NCBA also addresses the US’ beef trading relationship with several other nations in the document, including calling for a suspension of beef imports from Brazil and Paraguay over food safety and animal health standards, opposing greater access to the US for beef from Argentina, and urging trade negotiations with Korea to remove age restrictions on US beef imports.

NCBA president Mark Eisele and Cattle Australia President Garry Edwards at the Beef 2024 Rural Press Club of Queensland breakfast in Rockhampton at May last year.

At a Rural Press Club of Queensland breakfast at Beef 2024 in Rockhampton last year the Presidents of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Cattle Australia signed an historic agreement to strengthen the partnership between the prominent beef producing nations on issues related to cattle health, lab-grown proteins and sustainability.

However clear distance remains in their positions on trade and market access.

“Vigorously oppose”

In comments to Beef Central in response to the NCBA’s published submission, Cattle Australia chief executive Dr Chris Parker said the Australian industry will not accept a compromise of its science-based biosecurity system.

“Promoting free trade and market access is a fundamental issue for Cattle Australia (CA), and any suggestion from the NCBA to the contrary is something that we will vigorously oppose on behalf of Australia’s beef producers.

“While CA has a collaborative and collegiate relationship with NCBA, in particular in the area of land management, we strongly reject any suggestion that Australia’s science-based biosecurity system should be comprised.

“The Australian Government decides what US products enter our country, and its decision is based on the best available science and biosecurity protocols. We will not support anything that undermines that science-based biosecurity system.

“Australia’s biosecurity requirements for red meat entering our country are simply not negotiable, and it is completely unrelated to any discussion of potential US tariffs or market access.

“Our Department of Agriculture has an ongoing process for dealing with trade issues, and CA is engaged in that to represent the interests of our livestock industry.

“How the NCBA represents the interests of its members is a matter for them. However, they should remember that the trading rules in place between our countries have resulted in an overwhelming positive balance of trade for the US and a trade deficit for Australia.

“I will be meeting with the NCBA leaders in the US next month and look forward to discussing these issues with them in person.”

See earlier article: US revives focus on Australia as beef export target 22 Oct 2024