Mr Burke made the unprecedented move after a wave of community and industry alarm about imports from countries affected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease.

The 10-year ban on imports from those countries was lifted last week.

But because beef was already being imported before the ban, the Government did not need to do the import risk analysis, arguing the protocols in place were sufficient to protect human and animal health.

Mr Burke said he had decided the assessment was needed, to give the community reassurance with a “tried and true method”.

“Community concern which has come to us directly through my Labor colleagues within caucus and also directly through the media has made clear that … people want to know absolutely that we will be retaining the best possible food safety standards,” he said.

The 24-month import risk analysis will include a formal process of community consultation and scientific examination, before import protocols are developed.

Countries can then apply to import beef.

Responding to the public outcry, the coalition had planned to introduce private members’ bills this week, aimed at delaying imports until a risk assessment was performed.

Mr Burke denied the move was a backflip, saying it was not a diversion from the Government’s decision on beef imports.

“The protocols that would have been put in place would still have provided an equally strong level of protection for consumers,” he said.

No applications to import beef have been received since the ban was lifted.

All countries other than New Zealand will be examined in the import risk analysis. It is the first time the Minister has used his discretion to order an analysis.

Mad cow change concerns prompt review

The Federal Government has reversed its decision to allow beef imports from countries previously affected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), which is also known as mad cow disease.

The Government lifted the blanket ban on beef imports at the start of the month despite concerns the move could hurt Australia’s beef industry.

But Agriculture Minister Tony Burke has put that decision on hold to allow for a full import risk analysis to be conducted.

Mr Burke says his intervention was in response to significant community concern about lifting the ban.

“People want to know absolutely that we will be retaining the best possible food safety standards,” he said.

“Certainly it is an unusual situation for a minister to personally intervene. The level of community concern, I believe, has been sufficient to add that level of formality to the process.”

Mr Burke says the assessment will take two years to complete and during that time only beef from New Zealand can be imported.

The Federal Opposition – which had said lifting the ban would put Australia’s beef industry and disease-free status in jeopardy – has welcomed Mr Burke’s decision as a win for common sense.

The Cattle Council of Australia, meanwhile, is concerned another two years of banning beef imports will damage Australia’s trade relationship with the United States.

Council president Greg Brown says the group wants strict scientific testing, but importation should be allowed as soon as possible.

“The protectionists have gotten into this argument and they don’t want anything at all to come here and that’s very concerning for us,” he said.

“All the talk about American beef being infected with BSE and we don’t want it here… it must be terribly damaging to our relationship with what is a very good trading friend.”

‘Say no’

Almost 9,000 people have joined the Facebook site Support Aussie Farmers – Say No To Imported Beef since the import ban was lifted.

The group said many consumers wanted imported beef clearly labelled in supermarkets.

Founder of the page, Donna Morrison from Drysdale in Victoria, says Australian consumers have a right to know what they are eating.

“It just makes me so happy to find so many more people out there like myself that are passionate about this country, about its farmers and about our rights,” she said.

“The majority of people and myself would prefer to support Australian farmers and back Australian farmers and eat Australian beef.