DA lifts ban on Australian beef

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the ban on Australian beef after Biosecurity Australia (BA) and the Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE), a Paris-based international organization monitoring outbreaks of animal diseases, determined the anthrax outbreak in the cattle-producing region of Victoria has been contained.

Agriculture Undersecretary Cesar Drilon said the bureau of animal Industry (BAI) can now resume issuing veterinary and quarantine clearances (VQes) to beef importers.

"Based on the report of Biosecurity Australia, we are satisfied with the control measures that they have undertaken to ensure the anthrax outbreak is contained in Victoria," said Drilon, noting that other countries importing from Australia have not imposed restrictions on the livestock and meat industry of Australia.

Late last month, the Philippines banned meat imports from Australia after the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of the State of Victoria quarantined Swan Hill in Victoria after the reported sudden death of a 17-month old Hereford heifer was confirmed to be caused by anthrax.

Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) deputy chief veterinary officer Robert Biddle assured Philippine authorities that "there is no quarantine risk posed to the trade in meat, meat products and livestock by the recent incident."

Biddle in a letter to BAI Director Jose Molina said the anthrax control measures adopted by Australia were consistent with the provisions of the OIE International Animal Health Code. He added Australia experiences a very low incidence of anthrax with only about six to 12 properties reporting small numbers of anthrax cases in a year.

At the same time, Biddle said that AQIS health certification required to trade cattle and meat products follows the OIE guidelines, and is issued only after authorities have established that there was no movement of cattle from the property 21 days prior to the case being confirmed and the property remains in quarantine.

"These control measures enable AQIS to certify that no meat products were sourced from the property near Swan Hill for either the domestic or any overseas markets. Additionally, veterinary ante and post-mortem inspections of all slaughtered animals at export abbatoirs ensure that meat is wholesome and safe for human consumptions," said Biddle.

Biddle said control measures such as placing the Swan Hill farm under strict quarantine conditions for 42 days until Jan. 4, 2003 and vaccination of remaining animals on the farm were completed as early as Nov. 23, two days after the reported death of a single heifer.

He added that there is no possibility of a further outbreak after the incident.

"Animals on the property are being checked on a regular basis for any signs of disease. The property is isolated from other stock and there are no animals within approximately three kilometers of the property. It is also well segregated from other farms with the four boundaries consisting of two roads, a river and a water channel. It is considered that there are other farms at risk," said Biddle.

The 38-strong Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) hailed the decision of the DA.

"We welcome the move since this will assure us of a steady supply of meat products which is being supplied largely by Australia, said PAMPI executive director Francisco Buencamino.