EU does backflip on Australian cattle

By Boyd Champness

THE European Union has lifted the restrictions on Australian saleyards supplying beef to the premium A$90 million (34m) a year EU market.

Until now, EU-eligible properties and feedlots – that is, those approved by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service – had to send their cattle directly to EU-accredited abattoirs.

Although hormone growth promoters (HGPs) are banned in Australia, the EU introduced the rules on 1 December to reassure customers that Australian beef was free of HGPs.

But in the latest move, saleyards EU-accredited through AQIS can now supply beef to the lucrative market.