ABA Questions Differences In Beef Import Data
AUSTRALIA - The Australian Beef Association is demanding to know why there is a major difference in data supplied by the US and Meat and Livestock Australia regarding the quantity of US beef exports into Australia in 2000, prior to the BSE ban.
22 June 2010
1 minute read
ABA Chairman Brad Bellinger said: “Evidence presented by the ABA at the Third Senate hearing into impacts and consequences to relax import restrictions on beef contradicts claims by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) that only 34 tonnes of beef were imported from the USA per annum in the years prior to the December 2003 ban on USA imports”.
The USA trade data shows that as much as 2,999 tonnes was imported from the US in 2000.
“We ask how conflicting trade data provided by Food Standards Australian and New Zealand (FSANZ) and AQIS compared with that supplied by US Government sources can be explained”, Mr Bellinger said.
“FSANZ cannot get something as basic as the import tonnage correct; - then how can it be charged with the administrating and implementing systems to ensure US beef producers, processors and traders comply with BSE safety procedures?”, Mr Bellinger questioned.
The level of misinformation surrounding the BSE import issue is alarming. In order to better inform both beef producers and consumers to the threat of BSE imports the ABA is conducting a Beef Industry Summit at Casino RSM Club, Casino New South Wales this Friday 25th June starting at 10 am. Mr Bellinger advised all concerned beef producers and/or consumers to attend this Forum.
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