"RANK and file" cattle producers were not consulted on the Government's surprise announcement last week lifting the ban on beef imports from BSE countries, according to Federal Senators, who won the right to scrutinise the moves in a special inquiry this week.
A request for an immediate inquiry into the decision to allow beef imports from countries which have had BSE or mad cow disease was approved this week amid concern about what the decision – which has been strongly supported by the majority of the beef industry lobby groups - will mean for Australia's clean green trading reputation.
While the Australian meat industry has been quick to respond to some of the concerns, the issue was still referred to a special inquiry within the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs committee.
Last week, the Government announced it would remove its blanket ban on the import of beef and beef products from countries which have been infected with BSE.
The government said there would be no risks to human health or trade, as a result and had acted because of industry lobbying to remove the ban.
The inquiry, given the nod on Tuesday, will investigate the possible impacts and consequences for public health, trade and agriculture of the government's decision to relax the import restrictions.
Greens Senator and deputy chair of the committee Christine Milne moved the motion, fearful the decision could have been influenced more by trade than quarantine.
"I want to make sure that the Government has not just caved in to WTO (World Trade Organisation) pressure, and that the assurances about trade and risk to Australia’s beef industry are robust," Senator Milne said.
Independent Senator Nick Xenophon and the Liberal's Bill Heffernan argue only the top levels of the cattle industry were part of the discussions surrounding the decision and most farmers would not understand or agree with the decision.
Senator Xenophon said he backed the call for an inquiry because he believed most beef producers would oppose the new rules.
"I think you'll find that rank and file cattle operators around the country aren't happy with this," Senator Xenophon said this week.
"They are concerned about the implications and it seems that a deal has been done without proper consultation, without due consultation.
"And that's why you need a Senate inquiry, an urgent Senate inquiry, to get to the bottom of this very quickly."
Senator Heffernan said the industry could still avoid a forced "off-the-shelves" situation if it introduced a mandatory SRM (specified risk materials) removal for all slaughtered cattle.
He said instead the recent decision only lowers Australia's import and biosecurity standards.
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