THE Australian beef industry is confident it can head off a move to allow the import of the foot and mouth virus for research purposes.
The Cattle Council of Australia has requested an urgent meeting with Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke to argue against the move, which it says is "very, very concerning".
"The whole beef industry is aghast they could be considering this," CCA president Greg Brown said.
"We've made it plain to officials we'll take a lot of budging on this issue, and we're hopeful Mr Burke will agree with us."
Releasing the Beale quarantine report late last year, Mr Burke said he'd accepted all of its 84 recommendations, but would consult on how to implement and fund them.
One recommendation said the import of FMD and other exotic disease samples was 'vital" for use in diagnostic research by organisations such as the Australian Animal Health Laboratory and should be permitted under strict quarantine arrangements.
"We know scientists at AAHL are keen to work on the live virus, and that their Geelong facility is of world standard," Mr Brown said.
"But there's always the human factor to take account of. Ultimately, people get slack."
"Our position is unequivocal - we don't want the foot and mouth virus in the country."
Mr Burke told The Weekly Times that science-based considerations were the key to making sure Australia's bio-security was protected.
"There are no plans, nor any application, for live foot and mouth disease strains to be brought into Australia," he said.
The National Farmers' Federation backed the CCA, branding any move to import the FMD virus as "unwarranted".
"Australia's FMD-free status must not be compromised," NFF chief executive Ben Fargher said.
"Australian farmers are overwhelmingly of the view that such a move would pose an unnecessary risk to livestock, and must not be pursued."
Nationals leader and former agriculture minister Warren Truss said industry should be more vocal in opposing the move.
"I'm surprised they haven't acted more adversely to this recommendation," he said.
Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan also slammed the recommendation and vowed to take up the issue at next month's Senate estimates hearings.
