After initially announcing that the ban on beef imports from BSE-affected countries would be repealed, the government has backflipped, with Agriculture Minister Tony Burke yesterday announcing that any change in the standing import policy on beef would come only after a lengthy analysis of beef exports. Vocal opposition by Liberal, Greens and independent senators appears to have led to the reversal of the decision. Despite expert opinions that US beef is free of BSE, the opposition maintains it’s... ...Read more »

The Australian Beef Association yesterday told the current Australian Senate inquiry into Beef Imports that the majority of local beef producers will continue to oppose changes to Australia’s beef import laws. The Association said that relaxation of current import laws raised concerns of imports being affected by Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) (Mad Cow Disease). As European countries began reporting outbreaks of BSE in 2001, Australia had implemented blanket restrictions on beef imports.... ...Read more »

Australia is adjusting its imported food policy settings for beef and beef products, with controversial changes to come into effect from 1 March, 2010.An update of the science of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), mad cow disease, and consideration of the risks associated with importing the beef and beef products was undertaken by Professor John Mathews to guide the alterations. Professor Mathews’ report concludes that the risk to human health from imported beef remains extremely low,... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has invited individuals and organisations with an interest in the regulation of food to comment on a proposal to develop measures to maximise seed sprouts safety. The proposal is considering the development of a food safety standard for the production of seed sprouts (e.g. alfalfa, mung beans) for human consumption in Australia. Such a standard would be incorporated into the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Primary production and processing standard... ...Read more »

The Freddo Frog, one of the most iconic Australian confectionery products, is celebrating its 80th birthday with an online campaign that has ignited the debate over self-regulation of advertising less than a week after a Bill to ban junk food advertising to children was defeated in the Senate. Cadbury, a signatory to the Responsible Children’s Marketing Initiative and owner of the Freddo brand since 1965, maintains that the campaign is not targeted at children and is a benchmark for responsible... ...Read more »