Hon Bill Stretch asks about differing lamb meat definitions between Australia and the US, and their impact on WA lamb exports. Hon Kim Chance acknowledges the issue and commits to seeking advice from relevant authorities.

AnsweredQoN 912Legislative Council
Asked
9 May 2003
Portfolio
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Is the minister aware of the different definitions of lamb meat between Australia and the United States? (2) Does this militate against sales of Western Australian lamb into the US market? (3) If so, has the minister investigated or, if not, will he investigate this issue with a view to WA lamb producers gaining easier entry into that profitable US market for heavier lamb? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there are different definitions of lamb meat in Australia and the United States. Export lamb is defined by AUS-MEAT Ltd and in the export meat orders. It is an important issue for Western Australia because of the production environment for prime lambs. Further, the need to feedlot lambs to obtain the numbers and carcass weights required by the US impacts on teeth eruption and the definition of lamb. I am advised that this matter was recently considered by the Sheepmeats Council of Australia, but no change in definition was recommended. I will request the Meat Processing Task Force and the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority to provide advice to me on this matter.
(2) Does this militate against sales of Western Australian lamb into the US market? (3) If so, has the minister investigated or, if not, will he investigate this issue with a view to WA lamb producers gaining easier entry into that profitable US market for heavier lamb? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there are different definitions of lamb meat in Australia and the United States. Export lamb is defined by AUS-MEAT Ltd and in the export meat orders. It is an important issue for Western Australia because of the production environment for prime lambs. Further, the need to feedlot lambs to obtain the numbers and carcass weights required by the US impacts on teeth eruption and the definition of lamb. I am advised that this matter was recently considered by the Sheepmeats Council of Australia, but no change in definition was recommended. I will request the Meat Processing Task Force and the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority to provide advice to me on this matter.
(3) If so, has the minister investigated or, if not, will he investigate this issue with a view to WA lamb producers gaining easier entry into that profitable US market for heavier lamb? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there are different definitions of lamb meat in Australia and the United States. Export lamb is defined by AUS-MEAT Ltd and in the export meat orders. It is an important issue for Western Australia because of the production environment for prime lambs. Further, the need to feedlot lambs to obtain the numbers and carcass weights required by the US impacts on teeth eruption and the definition of lamb. I am advised that this matter was recently considered by the Sheepmeats Council of Australia, but no change in definition was recommended. I will request the Meat Processing Task Force and the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority to provide advice to me on this matter.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there are different definitions of lamb meat in Australia and the United States. Export lamb is defined by AUS-MEAT Ltd and in the export meat orders. It is an important issue for Western Australia because of the production environment for prime lambs. Further, the need to feedlot lambs to obtain the numbers and carcass weights required by the US impacts on teeth eruption and the definition of lamb. I am advised that this matter was recently considered by the Sheepmeats Council of Australia, but no change in definition was recommended. I will request the Meat Processing Task Force and the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority to provide advice to me on this matter.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(3) I am aware that there are different definitions of lamb meat in Australia and the United States. Export lamb is defined by AUS-MEAT Ltd and in the export meat orders. It is an important issue for Western Australia because of the production environment for prime lambs. Further, the need to feedlot lambs to obtain the numbers and carcass weights required by the US impacts on teeth eruption and the definition of lamb. I am advised that this matter was recently considered by the Sheepmeats Council of Australia, but no change in definition was recommended. I will request the Meat Processing Task Force and the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority to provide advice to me on this matter.
(1)-(3) I am aware that there are different definitions of lamb meat in Australia and the United States. Export lamb is defined by AUS-MEAT Ltd and in the export meat orders. It is an important issue for Western Australia because of the production environment for prime lambs. Further, the need to feedlot lambs to obtain the numbers and carcass weights required by the US impacts on teeth eruption and the definition of lamb. I am advised that this matter was recently considered by the Sheepmeats Council of Australia, but no change in definition was recommended. I will request the Meat Processing Task Force and the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority to provide advice to me on this matter.

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