India, Sept. 17 -- Beef producers in northern and remote regions now have greater access to Australia's world-leading Meat Standards Australia (MSA) grading system after a new transport pathway confirmed that eligible cattle can remain MSA-compliant after journeys of up to five days.

For producers, the change means cattle from longer-distance regions may have more pathways into MSA-backed branded beef programs, provided all preparation, transport, rest and documentation requirements are met.

The new MSA Beef long-duration road and/or rail transport pathway is the result of extensive research funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA). The research found cattle can be transported for up to 120 hours from property dispatch to slaughter wi...