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Australia beef ban lifted

Australia opens to Canadian beef for first time since 2003

Jul 30, 2025 | 12:14 PM

Good news for cattle producers in the country.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced the successful re-opening of market access for Canadian beef and beef products to Australia.

The market has been closed since the BSE outbreak in 2003, and Canada was officially recognized by the World Organization of Animal Health as having negligible risk status for BSE in 2021.

The move will allow producers to increase exports, leading to new revenue streams.

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald says Canada is known around the world for producing top-quality beef thanks to the hard work of producers.

He says strengthening the ties with Australia will mean more opportunities for Canadian farmers and processors to grow their business and boost the economy.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) president Paul MacKinnon says the move is a testament to cooperation between the CFIA, the Canadian Beef industry, and its trading partners.

MacKinnon says the achievement reflects the strength of the system and the value of Canadian high-quality beef internationally.

Canada was fifth in the world last year in beef exports by volume.

Canadian global exports of agriculture and agri-food in 2024 was over $92 billion.

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