Risk of lumpy skin disease via fresh (chilled or frozen) bovine skeletal muscle meat from applicant countries – Draft report

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released the draft review for the Risk of lumpy skin disease via fresh (chilled or frozen) bovine skeletal muscle meat from applicant countries for comment.The draft review focusses on the biosecurity risk of lumpy skin disease (LSD) virus transmission via fresh (chilled and frozen) skeletal muscle meat derived from bovines.The findings of the draft review support that beef skeletal muscle is a safe commodity with regard to LSD transmission. No specific biosecurity risk management measures above internationally accepted requirements to produce beef for human consumption were seen as necessary to address this risk.The draft review can be accessed at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/risk-analysis/animal/fresh-chilled-frozen-beef/reports.Trading partners are invited to provide comments on the draft review until 26 July 2023 (30-day comment period).The department will carefully consider all comments while preparing the final review.