Cattle Australia has called for an independent scientific panel to review Canberra’s decision to lift biosecurity restrictions on beef imported from the US.

CA chief executive Will Evans says while the minister and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry have provided assurances cattle born and raised in either Mexico and Canada before slaughter in the US will comply with Australia’s standards for biosecurity and food safety, the highest level of caution must be exercised to protect Australia’s beef industry.

“Cattle Australia has consistently said biosecurity assessments must be based on the best available scientific evidence and must be equivalent.” Will says.

“While we have been given assurances, and the minister for agriculture Julie Collins says she has full faith in the robustness of her department’s biosecurity assessment and the ability of her officials to have undertaken this assessment appropriately, we believe an independent scientific assessment is a sensible and prudent way forward,” he says.

“And this must occur before imports commence.

“There is simply too much at stake when it comes to Australia’s world-leading biosecurity status not to get a second opinion.

“Given the minister’s confidence she should have no issue appointing an independent panel to take the highest level of precaution in protecting the Australian beef industry,” he adds.