Ottawa-Australia is opening its doors to Canadian beef for the first time since 2003 providing yet another Indo-Pacific export market for the sector, says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Canada was shut out when bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) was found in the country. After a lot of hard work, Canada gained a negligible risk status in 2021 which means Canada’s beef production system is recognized internationally as sound, safe and respected, CFIA said.

Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said “Canada is known around the world for producing top-quality beef and that’s a testament to the hard work of our producers. Strengthening our trade ties with Australia, one of our key partners in the Indo-Pacific, means more opportunities for Canadian farmers and processors to grow their businesses, create good jobs, and build up our economy. The government is absolutely committed to supporting the industry as we open new doors, drive growth, and showcase the best of Canada to the world.”

Tyler Fulton, President of the Canadian Cattle Association, said “Canadian beef farmers and ranchers are proud to produce the highest quality and safest beef in the world. As the demand for Canadian beef around the world continues to grow, we look forward to every new market opportunity. CCA is pleased to see Australia, one of the last remaining countries to have maintained BSE restrictions, complete their risk assessment and open their market for Canadian beef.”

CFIA President Paul MacKinnon said “This regained access to the Australian market is a testament to the cooperation between the CFIA, the Canadian beef industry and our trading partners. CFIA’s commitment to science-based decision-making and rigorous inspection standards helps to uphold Canada’s global reputation for excellence in food safety and animal health. This achievement not only reflects the strength of our system and the value of Canada’s high-quality beef internationally but also supports the livelihoods of Canadian workers and families who rely on this industry.”

By opening access to premium markets like Australia, Canadian producers can increase exports, generating new revenue streams that fuel investments, sustain jobs, and support local economies from coast to coast, CFIA said.

The government remains committed to expanding international market opportunities for the country’s agri-food sector. Working closely with industry stakeholders and trading partners, Canada continues to protect its strong international reputation as a source of safe, high-quality food, helping Canadian products compete and succeed globally.

In 2024, Canada ranked 8th in the world in beef exports by volume. Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) was launched in November 2022 to position Canada to take advantage of growing opportunities in the region by strengthening regional engagement and deepening diplomatic, security, economic, and sustainable development partnerships.

* A key initiative under the IPS is the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office (IPAAO) which opened in Manilla, Philippines in February 2024. Its mobile team of technical experts and trade commissioners works to explore and advance trade opportunities around the Indo-Pacific region, strengthen technical and regulatory cooperation, identify new business opportunities for Canadian exporters to diversify their exports and support investment attraction efforts into Canada.

This news item prepared for National Newswatch