HON WARREN TRUSS MP
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY

AFFA02/184WT
23 July 2002

Extra 7 per cent of US beef quota to be released

Federal Agriculture Minister Warren Truss has today announced the release to processors of more of the US beef quota.

“I have received representations from some processors, and local Members of Parliament, requesting early access to the 10 per cent of quota being held by Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia (AFFA) to cover any necessary minor adjustments,” Mr. Truss said.

“As the allocation of quota, and the US Customs arrangements, are now well on the way to being implemented, I have asked AFFA to release a further 7 per cent of the remaining quota.

“This will ease the burden on some of the smaller processors who are close to their quota limit and have orders to fill.

“Processors will be advised of the details later in the week.”

10 per cent of every allocation was held back so that the total quota allocations could be reconciled with the US Customs’ clearance system, and to cover minor adjustments to plant allocations should new information come to light.

Mr. Truss said the Quota Management Panel has met and considered the situation of firms that shipped out of quota product before the detail of the quota arrangements was released on 1 July.

Some of this product may arrive in the US after 1 August 2002 and could be subject to a 26.4 per cent tariff.

“The Panel has recommended that quota certificates should be issued for this product, and I have accepted this as a reasonable transition measure. Processors should not assume that this tonnage would be included in their 2003 allocation.

“As I have previously announced, the provision for over quota shipments will be met from the overall 30,000 discretionary tonnage allowance.

“This decision will end the debate about the treatment of shipments during the quota implementation stage.

“I look forward to the Panel further refining the discretionary tonnage criteria, and then beginning the task of allocation during the next couple of weeks.”

Further media inquiries:
Mr. Truss's office, Tim Langmead (02) 6277 7520 or 0418 221 433