The Coalition’s Food Importation (Bovine Meat Standards) Bill 2010 has passed through the Senate as pressure mounts on the Rudd Government over its plan to import beef from countries that had been affected by mad cow disease.

The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams who originally gave notice of the introduction of the Private Senators Bill said it would now be sent to the House of Representatives where it must be passed to become legislation.

He said the bill calls for a full import risk analysis, a fact that the Agriculture Minister Tony Burke acknowledges and has ordered following concerted pressure by the Coalition backed by a groundswell of public support.

Senator Williams said it also seeks that the country exporting the beef to Australia have in place a program of “birth-to-death” traceability scheme of at least equivalent standard of Australia’s National Livestock Identification Scheme.

“Country of Origin labelling is the third requirement of this bill to ensure Australians know from which country the beef has originated.

If the Rudd Government is serious about have every safeguard in place it will accept this legislation in the lower house which would give comfort to industry and everyday Australians”, Senator Williams said.