In The Know: What does opening our doors to US beef mean? with Andrew Henderson

Yesterday’s surprise move to lift biosecurity restrictions on US beef imports has sent ripples through Aussie ag - with historical concerns around potentially devastating diseases like foot and mouth or mad cow entering our shores.

It comes as rumours swirl about a possible hike in tariffs on Aussie exports to the US. Is this a long-planned, science-based decision, or is there something more strategic at play?

We speak with agricultural policy and trade expert Andrew Henderson to unpack the timing, implications to industry, and the fine line between biosecurity risk management and political maneuvering. 

What You’ll Learn

• Why US beef imports were previously banned in Australia (since 2019)
• What’s changed in US traceability and food safety systems
• Potential biosecurity risks and how real they are
• The political and trade dynamics behind this decision, including tensions with the US under the Trump administration
• How this affects tariffs on Australian beef exports
• Whether consumers are likely to see US beef in Australian supermarkets
• The importance of country-of-origin labelling in building trust

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to US Beef Imports and Biosecurity

02:42 Historical Context of US Beef Imports

05:54 Current Trade Dynamics and Political Implications

08:47 Consumer Impact and Future of US Beef in Australia

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