‘Green card’ for beef genetics

THE export of Australian cattle genetics has the potential to earn $3.5 million a year - and it just moved one step closer.

Under a new agreement between Australia and the US, seedstock producers will no longer have to carry out expensive tuberculosis and bluetongue testing, a move described by many as a trade barrier.

Minister of Agriculture Barnaby Joyce made the announcement earlier this week, and although the US was yet to recognise Australia's TB-free status, seedstock producers were hailing the development as a major breakthrough.

"There is the potential for northern Australia's cattle studs especially to increase their exports significantly because of these changes," Mr Joyce said.

Artificial breeding expert and veterinarian Ced Wise has welcomed the move and said although the US market was relatively low volume, it had a high value.

It currently accounts for more than half the value of all cattle semen and embryo exports from Australia.

"For those select producers who are producing genetics of the highest order, I think it will be an important market and a valuable addition," he said.

While lauding the move, Dr Wise said more work was needed. "We still have a few hurdles to jump, but they are at least 'jumpable' and they can be done for that market."

While the Department of Agriculture has given with one hand, it has taken with the other, as its fees for processing increased from $283 an hour to $954 an hour from July 1.

This has since decreased to roughly $400 an hour, Dr Wise said.

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'Green card' for beef genetics