Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is calling for an independent review of the Albanese Government’s decision to allow United States beef to be imported into Australia.
Mr Chester said the region’s agriculture sector could be exposed to unacceptable biosecurity risks under the plan, which has taken industry leaders by surprise.
“This appears to be a political decision, rather than being based on science,” Mr Chester said.
“Agriculture forms a critical part of our regional economy, and there are legitimate biosecurity questions being asked about the Albanese Government’s handling of the decision to allow US beef imports into Australia.
“Gippsland is an agriculture powerhouse, with a $7 billion net worth, employing more than a third of the region’s workforce, and proudly producing 25 per cent of the beef, wool, and prime lamb in Victoria, 27 per cent of Victoria’s
vegetables and 22 per cent of the nation’s dairy products.
“The Government still hasn’t released the protocols to be put in place, despite this apparently being a long, scientific process, and I am suspicious about the speed of this decision and the secrecy of this decision.
“I share the Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud’s concerns that we could be sacrificing our high biosecurity standards for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump which is why I am in support for this decision to be independently reviewed, with a panel set up by industry, to review the science behind the decision.
“Biosecurity risks should be non-negotiable. We rely on our biosecurity protections to enable us to continue to export and build our economy, while also enjoying its benefits at home.”
