Australia waives $7M in cattle export fees, splitting costs with industry through 2028.

The Australian government has waived $7 million in regulatory costs for live cattle exports, covering animal welfare oversight and observer programs through 2027–28, easing financial pressure on the industry. Taxpayer funding will cover 75% in 2026–27 and 50% in 2027–28, with a goal of full industry cost recovery by 2028–29. While live exporters welcome the move as government support, beef exporters criticize new cost recovery fees for market access services like China’s CIFER, calling them unfair amid recent tariffs and global trade challenges.