ID :
191811
Wed, 06/29/2011 - 14:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/191811
The shortlink copeid
Keep wallet open, cattle farmers tell govt
SYDNEY (AAP) - June 29 - Another $5 million in compensation for beef farmers has only prompted a warning to the federal government that it will need to keep its wallet open.
Under pressure from the government, the Cattle Council of Australia dipped into its contingency fund on Wednesday to help out cattle that had been destined for export to Indonesia.
The $5 million is to go specifically to ensuring the welfare of those stuck in the supply chain - but not those waiting on farms - and covers transport and husbandry costs.
It is the second round of compensation announced since live exports to Indonesia were suspended on June 7, with the government having offered $3 million earlier this week.
Agforce Queensland chief executive Robert Walker said he expected the final compensation amount to be much higher once the issue was finally done and dusted.
"It's a short term fix and it's the tip of the iceberg," he told AAP.
"This is an industry worth hundreds of millions a year, and when I say it's worth hundreds of millions of dollars - that's just the direct dollar value of the industry.
"It doesn't take into account the transport, the mustering, the impact on local businesses, the hardware stores - that's where the employment is, it's just going to be devastating."
He said the government had failed to grasp the scale of its decision to suspend live exports for anywhere up to six months.
"That's a disappointment and the longer it goes on, the harder it gets."
The window for exporting live cattle from the top end of Australia closes at the start of the wet season - around September - meaning even bigger problems down the track, Mr Walker said.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who sat down with cattle producers in Darwin on Wednesday, insists trade will resume as quickly as possible.
"I'm not going to let an extra day go by that isn't necessary to get the animal welfare standards in place," she told reporters.
"There are people in the industry up here in the Northern Territory who want some assurances about the future, and I am in a position to give those assurances.
"This industry has a bright future."
Beef producers will get their first firsthand opportunity to grill the government when Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig fronts a community forum in Mt Isa in Queensland on Thursday.
Up to 400 people - mostly from Queensland, but also the NT - are expected at the forum, which has been organised by AgForce.
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) chairman Don Heatley will also be there.
Mr Walker said he was expecting a lively debate.
"There's no doubt there's anger out there ... and until the government provides us with certainty, anger and anxiety and concerns will grow," he said.
"At the end of the day, it's not a drought, it's not a flood, it's not a cyclone, it's a decision that's been made by government.
"It's important that producers get to hear directly from the decision maker."
The $5 million in contingency funding comes via the Cattle Disease Contingency Fund Trust, which was set up using part of the $5 levy that is paid per head of cattle sold in Australia.
The majority - $4.58 - goes to MLA, which is still refusing to release an extra $5 million in compensation for its farmers, despite threats from Senator Ludwig.
Under pressure from the government, the Cattle Council of Australia dipped into its contingency fund on Wednesday to help out cattle that had been destined for export to Indonesia.
The $5 million is to go specifically to ensuring the welfare of those stuck in the supply chain - but not those waiting on farms - and covers transport and husbandry costs.
It is the second round of compensation announced since live exports to Indonesia were suspended on June 7, with the government having offered $3 million earlier this week.
Agforce Queensland chief executive Robert Walker said he expected the final compensation amount to be much higher once the issue was finally done and dusted.
"It's a short term fix and it's the tip of the iceberg," he told AAP.
"This is an industry worth hundreds of millions a year, and when I say it's worth hundreds of millions of dollars - that's just the direct dollar value of the industry.
"It doesn't take into account the transport, the mustering, the impact on local businesses, the hardware stores - that's where the employment is, it's just going to be devastating."
He said the government had failed to grasp the scale of its decision to suspend live exports for anywhere up to six months.
"That's a disappointment and the longer it goes on, the harder it gets."
The window for exporting live cattle from the top end of Australia closes at the start of the wet season - around September - meaning even bigger problems down the track, Mr Walker said.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who sat down with cattle producers in Darwin on Wednesday, insists trade will resume as quickly as possible.
"I'm not going to let an extra day go by that isn't necessary to get the animal welfare standards in place," she told reporters.
"There are people in the industry up here in the Northern Territory who want some assurances about the future, and I am in a position to give those assurances.
"This industry has a bright future."
Beef producers will get their first firsthand opportunity to grill the government when Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig fronts a community forum in Mt Isa in Queensland on Thursday.
Up to 400 people - mostly from Queensland, but also the NT - are expected at the forum, which has been organised by AgForce.
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) chairman Don Heatley will also be there.
Mr Walker said he was expecting a lively debate.
"There's no doubt there's anger out there ... and until the government provides us with certainty, anger and anxiety and concerns will grow," he said.
"At the end of the day, it's not a drought, it's not a flood, it's not a cyclone, it's a decision that's been made by government.
"It's important that producers get to hear directly from the decision maker."
The $5 million in contingency funding comes via the Cattle Disease Contingency Fund Trust, which was set up using part of the $5 levy that is paid per head of cattle sold in Australia.
The majority - $4.58 - goes to MLA, which is still refusing to release an extra $5 million in compensation for its farmers, despite threats from Senator Ludwig.
