U.S. beef imports are allowed in Australia for the first time in two decades

American ranchers are celebrating a major win as the Australian market opens to U.S. beef.

The deal was announced last night and will open the market for the first time in two decades, easing long-standing restrictions that have kept U.S. beef out of Australia.

Over the last 20 years, NCBA says Australia has sent around $29 billion worth of its beef to the U.S., while U.S. producers lacked access. Australia says its decision to reverse course comes after a thorough review of health and safety standards. Australia will now accept beef imports from animals born in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico as long as they were legally imported.

NCBA and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins credited President Trump for securing the deal.

Rollins says in part, ‘Gone are the days of putting American farmers on the sidelines. This is yet another example of the kind of market access the President negotiates to bring America into a new golden age of prosperity, with American agriculture leading the way.”

She told Fox Business this morning that the deal is something ranchers were told for 20 years would never happen.

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