Australia refines its food safety rules for imported beef and beef products

Australia is adjusting its imported food policy settings regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) for beef and beef products. The changes follow a review of current settings and will come into effect from 1 March 2010.

An update of the science of BSE and consideration of the risks associated with importing the beef and beef products was undertaken by Professor John Mathews. Professor Mathews’ report concludes that the risk to human health from imported beef remains extremely low, provided the appropriate risk-mitigation strategies are put in place.

The new arrangements will not affect the Australian food standard, which requires that beef and beef products be derived from animals free of BSE. This standard will not change and current enforcement measures will continue to apply.

In reaching this decision the Government consulted with a wide range of interested health stakeholders and no concerns were raised.

The independent review of the scientific evidence indicates that it is possible to import beef from countries that have reported cases of BSE and maintain a high level of protection for the Australian public, provided the appropriate risk management mechanisms are put in place.

A number of countries have requested access to Australia’s beef market. These countries will be required to undergo a rigorous risk assessment led by Food Standards Australia New Zealand to ensure they have robust systems in place to prevent the BSE agent from entering the human food chain.

Countries looking to export their beef to Australia must meet rigorous requirements to ensure that beef products entering Australia are BSE free. The new import conditions will require exporting countries to prove they have acceptable controls in place, even if a particular country has not reported BSE, and demonstrate that those controls are implemented and monitored.

Countries permitted to export beef products to Australia under the previous policy will be allowed to continue to do so, but will also be subject to a risk assessment of their systems and have until 30 June 2011 to request such an assessment.

Given Australia’s strongly competitive position in domestic and export markets for beef, it is not anticipated that the new rules will lead to any significant increased level of beef imports into Australia.

A copy of the independent review can be downloaded at www.health.gov.au.