The EU is set to permit the US to use lactic acid as a decontaminant for beef and veal carcases.
The Council of the European Union voted on the issue in a meeting in late November, with a qualified majority not reached.
As a result, the European Commission will authorise the use of lactic acid, with the regulation for its use likely to come into effect as of February 2013.
Historically, the US has been prohibited from using lactic acid as a decontaminant on beef carcases destined for the EU - a common practice for US beef processors.
The decision to allow its use comes after an application from the United States Department of Agriculture to allow its use, along with findings by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that the use of lactic acid was not a safety concern.
The move is likely to significantly enhance the US ability to fill the recently expanded HQB grainfed quota.
Australia shares access to the quota with the US, along with New Zealand, Uruguay and Canada.
Currently, the grainfed quota is under-filled, with usage in the first quota period of 2012-13 (July to September), at 71% (7,009 tonnes out of 9,825 tonnes available).
With the expansion of the quota in August of 2012, quarterly available quota now stands at 12,050 tonnes.
