The Federal Government is set to lift a seven-year ban on meat imports from countries affected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy or “mad cow disease”, endangering one of Australia’s most important industries.

While authorities say there is little risk of the disease spreading to Australia, farmers say the nation’s clean agricultural image was vital and needed to be upheld.

Beef is one of the Riverina’s major industries and supports hundreds of jobs outside of primary production, including Cargills.

More than 1000 farmers met in Armidale over the weekend to voice their concern, including Junee farmer and Federal senator Bill Heffernan.

“The Australian industry needs full trace ability of animals and meat from any country wanting to import as well as a complete risk analysis before any foreign beef is allowed in,” he said.

“There was a fair amount of anger at the industry’s peak bodies, Meat and Livestock Australia, Cattle Council and Red Meat Advisory Council for their apparent support of lifting the ban.”

Senator Heffernan said the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) was the best in the world and was necessary to quickly trace disease breakouts.

Tarcutta farmer Alan Brown said any disease risk was too much.

“We’re told the risk is small but it’s significant because Australia’s image is under threat,” he said.

“America doesn’t use the NLIS and while I understand the need for free trade, the overriding concerns for human health and quarantine must be recognised.”

Meanwhile, Nationals Leader Warren Truss said Australian beef was safe and consumers should not be concerned about the meat available to them at the supermarket.

Mr Truss said he was alarmed by reports that some consumers had stopped buying beef because of their worries about proposed imports.

“Nothing has changed about the quality of beef in Australia, it is as good and safe as ever,” said Mr Truss.