Burke back flip on 'Mad Cow imports'

James Riley
Monday, 08 March 2010 22:09

Science - Health

Agriculture Minister Tony Burke has reversed a decision to allow beef imports from countries previously known to have been affected by BSE - more commonly known as mad cow disease - pending a full risk analysis of the policy.

Government lifted the ban on beef imports from BSE affected nations just one week ago, leading to a storm of protest from Australian primary producers.

Mr Burke acknowledged the decision to defer imports until an import risk analysis had been carried out was a direct result of community concerns of the past week.

The decision buys a two-year reprieve for beef producers - the risk analysis will take 24 months, during which time beef can only be imported from New Zealand, as is the case now.

New South Wales Nationals Senator Fiona Nash  said the mad cow announcement was a "victory for commonsense," and a victory for the court of public opinion.

"Beef producers across Australia have been echoing the Coalition's fierce opposition to relaxing the rules on 'mad cow' imports and seven days after the new regime began Agriculture Minister Burke has finally listened," Senator Nash said.