Beef imported from Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) infected countries, which is also known as mad cow disease, must have 100 per cent accurate labelling.

Until recently Australia did not import beef from BSE infected nations, but as of March 1 this changed and countries like the United States and Canada were once again able to begin exporting beef here.

According to the Federal Government, who lifted the nine year ban, the beef will pose almost zero risk to human health.

NSW Farmer’s Association Cattle Committee Chair, Richard Chamen said one of the major concerns is that beef from these countries and any other country must have accurate country of origin beef labelling.

“People need to be kept well informed, and while we wait for the Import Risk Analysis on the importation of beef from BSE infected nations, that information needs to be freely available,” he said.

The policy passed earlier this week means all beef imports will have complete traceability, residue testing and food safety declarations.

“We also want to see full Import Risk Analysis and In-Country inspection undertaken before importations can commence.

“These are basic protocols and practices that should be undertaken to ensure consumers can keep their confidence in the Australian beef industry, and have the ability to identify what they’re eating,” Mr Chamen said.

Local butchers are at odds however as to why we are importing beef at all.

Farm Fresh Meats Muswellbrook manager, Andrew Daughty, said he doesn’t believe Australia really needs to be importing beef when the local meat is just as good if not better than anything we can get overseas.

“Testing the meat as they have proposed would make it safer, but it’s a hard thing to test and how can you guarantee it has been done correctly, it’s a big risk.

“I wouldn’t serve imported meat from BSE countries or any other

country to my family, I’d rather eat meat from the local area any day,” he said.