(Washington D.C.) For the first time in more than two decades, Australia will accept shipments of fresh and frozen U.S. beef. Kent Bacus, executive director of government affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says this is a huge win. “There’s been really no scientific justification to keep us out,” said Bacus. “This is just a lot of protection and these regulatory burdens we’ve had to overcome.” Bacus says Australia isn’t likely to be a huge export market for U.S. beef, but it’s really about opportunities in other countries. “The fact is we are going to continue to be very competitive against the Australians in those markets.” While the U.S. hasn’t exported beef to Australia since the trade agreement between the two countries was implemented in 2005, Australia has sold more than $28.7 billion worth of its beef to the U.S.
(Article courtesy of the American Farm Bureau)
