Member for Riverina Michael McCormack says there are serious questions over the Albanese Labor Government’s lifting of restrictions on US beef.
Mr McCormack said there were other factors to consider other than a quick fix to appease the USA over imposing tariffs on Australian beef exports.
“The ban on fresh US beef was designed to protect our communities from serious biosecurity issues, including foot-and-mouth disease and prion diseases such as ‘mad cow’ disease,” Mr McCormack said.
“These are not just minor inconveniences; they are serious and devastating diseases that could savage the Australian livestock industry.
“I have a beef with our farmers being used as pawns in the Prime Minister’s game of chess to secure a meeting with the US President.”
Mr McCormack is calling on the Federal Government to commission an independent review into this decision to ensure Australian farmers’ livelihoods are not put at risk.
“This announcement raises more questions than it answers – there needs to be more transparency from this Government to show it has done the work to ensure the significant risks are minimised,” Mr McCormack said.
“Australia should never compromise on the quality of its produce, either for domestic use or for exporting.
“This is just the latest in a long rap sheet of questionable decisions that have been made against the interests of regional, rural and remote Australians, and our farmers and communities deserve better.”