California set to ban kangaroo imports despite lobbying efforts by Australia

Animal welfare groups have hailed the Californian senate's decision to ban the trade but industry supporters will continue to campaign against the ban

A lobbying effort by the Australian government to continue the trade of kangaroo skins and meat to California has failed, with the US state set to impose a ban on the import of the animal.

An amendment to Californian law that would have allowed the import of kangaroo products from Australia beyond the end of the year failed to pass the state senate. Animal welfare groups have said the move has been defeated but the kangaroo trade industry has vowed to try again.