"Today is a day that Australian lamb producers have been anticipating for a long time - the US is removing its illegal restrictions on Australian exports," Trade Minister Mark Vaile said today.

From 15 November, the tariff quota arrangement, which the US imposed in July 1999 to restrict competitive Australian exports, will be removed and will revert to the previously existing tariff of 0.7c/kg.

"This outcome vindicates the strong stance the Government and industry have taken to prosecute our trade rights in the WTO's dispute settlement system," Mr Vaile said. 

"The Australian Government and the sheepmeat industry worked tirelessly and very effectively together to obtain trade justice.

"The outcome shows the value of rules-based international trade for Australia.  Our interests will be even further advanced in the new round of negotiations agreed on 14 November in Doha."

"Even during the period of the quota, Australian lamb exports to the US doubled, from $8 million to over $16 million a month.  Clearly, Australia produces an excellent product that American consumers like," Mr Vaile said. 

"Now that the market is free again, our farmers and processors can capitalise on their previous success to grow their exports to the lucrative US market."