Outbreak of 'mad cow disease' creates export opportunity for WA

29/3/96

Primary Industry Minister Monty House said the outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (also known as BSE or 'mad cow disease') in the United Kingdom had created a potential export opportunity for Western Australia's beef industry.

"The current situation has provided us with the chance to capitalise on consumer demands for quality assured beef," Mr House said.

"I have written to Federal Trade Minister Tim Fischer urging him to ensure negotiations are held with a view to easing the European Union's quota restrictions on Australian beef as a matter of priority."

Mr House said the current situation not only provided opportunities to export beef  throughout Europe, but to increase exports to existing customers such as countries in the Middle East and Asia which had stopped importing British beef because of the 'mad cow disease' scare.

"WA beef is highly regarded among its customers because of its clean and green image," Mr House said.

"WA is in an excellent position to capitalise on these market opportunities because of the recent development of quality assurance programs such as Safe Quality Food (SQF) 2000 for agricultural products."

Mr House said the beef industry in WA was currently going through a challenging period and every opportunity to enter new markets needed to be explored.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell  481 2044