Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA), Media Release, 24 July 2025
The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) acknowledges the Australian Government’s announcement to reinstate access of beef processed from the United States of America into Australia.
This follows conclusion of a science-based risk assessment process undertaken by the Australian Government since 2019 to determine whether beef processed in the USA sourced from cattle from Canada or Mexico can meet Australia’s biosecurity and food safety requirements.
Christian Mulders, ALFA CEO says “The US has had access to the Australian market since 2019, provided it could verify its beef came from within the US. Following the USA’s request to include cattle sourced from Canada and Mexico, the Australian Government rightly undertook a further risk assessment to ensure Australia’s biosecurity and food safety requirements would not be compromised.
The Australian Government’s final report on its risk assessment concludes that USA control measures, including those covering importation of cattle from Canada and Mexico, are ‘rigorous’ and ‘address Australia’s biosecurity concerns’.
As a trading nation and major beef exporter, ALFA advocates for free trade based on international rules, which includes beef entering Australia so long as it meets our import requirements.
Protecting our biosecurity status and ensuring beef imports into Australia do not compromise our reputation is a key priority for ALFA and our industry. Getting the balance right so our industry can continue to enjoy the benefit of exporting our product globally is essential.
We acknowledge the conclusion of the Government’s science-based risk assessment process and their assurance that US controls in place address Australia’s biosecurity concerns and will continue to protect Australia’s biosecurity status following reinstatement of beef imports from the USA into Australia.”
ALFA will continue to advocate that the Australian Government ensures that imported beef complies with all Australian requirements and achieves equivalent outcomes so that our biosecurity and food safety status remains in place.
For more information visit feedlots.com.au.
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