State Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Deb Frecklington says she is astonished by the new State Minister for Agriculture, Mr Bill Byrne’s statements about his opposition to the live cattle trade industry.
Mrs Frecklington said it is concerning that the new State Minister for Agriculture is opposed to the live cattle industry, given the disastrous results of the former Federal Labor Government’s live-trade ban and the massive negative impact it had on our beef industry.
“Unfortunately, for farmers in Australia farm gate prices are generally lower than prices received in third world economies such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. When compared with the USA and Canada, our producers receive about half,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“For this reason, our producers need competition at the farm gate. By his statement opposing live cattle trade, I question what Mr Byrne is trying to do to the farm gate price?” she said.
“And while I understand graziers are currently experiencing a rising farm gate price, at a time of potential prosperity, it seems Mr Byrne can only think of negative ideas,”
“Live cattle trade provides another important market for our primary producers. It works alongside other markets such as meatworks and feedlots. The live trade is a professional, regulated industry,”
“Competition makes an industry stronger, not weaker. I firmly disagree with Mr Byrne’s opinion that the live cattle trade threatens the viability of the region’s meat processors. This is not the case, with live-trade being an important and complementary industry for our State’s cattle producers,” she said.
Mrs Frecklington said that right now, our producers don’t need the processing and live export sectors to be pitted against each other. She believes the statement has been made to keep Mr Byrne’s union bosses happy, with little thought for the ramifications if may cause to an entire industry.
“Live cattle trade provides choice for producers to market their cattle. Without it, we all know what happens. Primary producers unable to offload stock. Families driven to the wall. Families who are already suffering the effects of droughts, floods and now cyclones,” she said.
“The LNP remains committed to enhancing the live cattle export trade and is committed to recognising that the industry’s associated jobs and development opportunities are vital to a balanced industry. We cannot afford Queensland to go backwards because of Labor's indecision, inexperience and lack of commitment to this vital industry,” she said.
