Five Nations Beef Alliance Position Statement

Overriding Principle

To exceed global consumers’ expectations in respect of beef, while eliminating non-scientific and political trade restrictions.

Trade Reform

The Five Nations Beef Alliance (FNBA) will continue to advocate in favour of further liberalization as a key priority in the Doha Round of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations.  The FNBA unequivocally supports expanded market access via the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, the elimination of all export subsidies and substantial reductions in domestic support.

The FNBA urges all beef importing countries to ensure that sound science remains the only basis for resolving Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) issues.

The FNBA agrees that when countries conduct their own science-based risk assessments related to BSE, the results should be that their respective governments will implement international OIE guidelines enabling trade in cattle, genetic material, beef and beef products to occur without interruptions on non-scientifically based criteria.

Animal Identification

The FNBA supports the ongoing development of animal identification systems that facilitate the eradication of animal disease and management of animal health concerns in the beef industry.  Each member of the FNBA, along with each beef producing nation around the world, is urged to move forward with systems that deliver pragmatic and effective tracking and tracing capabilities which provide confidence to beef consumers.

Animal Health

Recognising the dangers of the spread of livestock disease for the beef industry, the FNBA urges all governments and quarantine authorities to remain vigilant in preventing the introduction and spread of animal diseases and threats from pests.  The FNBA reaffirms that all such measures must be implemented to the extent justified by science-based risk assessments and recommended by international OIE guidelines.

Animal Welfare

The FNBA believes that cattle producers are genuinely motivated to ensure their livestock are well cared for.  We urge cattle producer organizations in all beef producing nations to maintain and effectively implement animal welfare codes that are science based, outcome focused and do not impede international trade.  We urge governments around the world to ensure any animal handling and welfare legislation complies with these same principles.

Competitiveness and Profitability Issues

The FNBA urges governments to avoid measures that distort global markets and negatively affect the availability of inputs and resources that are vital to the production of cattle.  Examples of measures not consistent with this principle include government subsidies that encourage the diversion of massive quantities of feed grains for alternate purposes, overly restrictive controls on the movement of labour, lengthy delays in the approval of veterinary pharmaceuticals and other non-scientific regulatory burdens.