What's making news this week.
Australia has filled 81.44% of its beef safeguard quota with Korea and is approaching the limit of its China quota. Meat & Livestock Australia General Manager for International Markets Andrew Cox said the industry was actively engaging with key partners through established channels. "At the same time, a strong focus remains on diversifying export markets, growing demand across markets such as Southeast Asia, North Asia, North America, Middle East and Europe," he said. "Producers can be assured the industry is actively working to protect market access while building new opportunities to support stable, long-term demand."
The White House has proposed a 12.5% tariff on Australian goods as part of new levies on 60 countries. While beef has been excluded, sheepmeat and goatmeat will be caught under the economy-wide measure. The tariffs have drawn condemnation from Australian political leaders. Trade Minister Don Farrell did not respond to questions from APlus News.
The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed the detection of New World screwworm in cattle in Texas. The affected animal is a three-week-old calf, with larvae identified in its umbilical area. No further detections have been reported. USDA and Texas officials are taking immediate action to contain and eradicate the pest. Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, said the US had defeated the pest before. "USDA invested heavily in the tools needed to eliminate NWS ever since cases started increasing in Central America and Mexico. The United States has defeated this pest before, and we will do it again," he said.
ABARES is forecasting the value of Australian agricultural production to fall 5% to $98.3 billion in 2026-27, following a record year. Agricultural export value is expected to drop $7 billion to $74.8 billion. Acting Executive Director David Galeano said variable rainfall had limited winter crop planting in some regions and drier than average winter conditions were expected across many cropping areas. Livestock and livestock product value is forecast to decline by $1.1 billion to $47.4 billion, driven by lower prices.
The Victorian Farmers Federation held its annual conference in Ballarat this week, with incoming president Ryan Milgate and vice-president Scott Young officially beginning their tenures at the event. The conference, held Monday and Tuesday, also marked the end of Peter Star's tenure as acting president, a role he recently stepped into after former president Brett Hosking was preselected for the Victorian election. One issue Mr Star championed heading out the door: a push to strip dingoes from Victoria's threatened species protections, citing new genetic research that questions the scientific basis of current conservation policy.
The tax reform Bill including changes to Capital Gains Tax and negative gearing has passed the House of Representatives and will now be examined by a Senate Committee. Separately, paraquat was debated in Senate estimates this week, with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority still reviewing the herbicide and expected to hand down its decision soon.