10/11/09_TFGA Meat council Encourages all Beef Producers to Vote
Published: 10/11/2009
TFGA Meat Council Encourages All Beef Producers to Vote
Beef producers have only until next Tuesday (November 17) to vote for the retention of the $5 cattle transaction levy.
Our strong advice to Tasmanian beef producers is to make sure that they vote and have their say in the future of our industry, chairman of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association Meat Council Brett Hall said.
The marketing component of the levy was raised by $1.50 and if the total levy is reduced back to $3.50 per head, the cattle industry will lose over $20 million in marketing programs.
“If there is reduced funding, we face the potential loss of sales to key markets such as Korea and Japan, as well as the chance to expand sales in emerging markets such as Russia, Indonesia and China,” Mr Hall said.
“On the domestic market, we risk losing market share to white meat, seafood and vegetarian foods and putting ourselves on the back foot with those who seek to challenge the industry on environmental and welfare grounds.”
A review of the beef levy found that the industry had to continue to invest in a broad range of programs to consolidate its position in beef markets and address the challenges and opportunities it faced.
It found that the levy was a “modest but appropriate investment” in the future of the industry.
Producers can vote by proxy by November 17 or in person at the MLA annual general meeting on November 19 in Darwin, Northern Territory.
Contact:
Brett Hall 6255 5107
More information: www.mla.com.au/beeflevyreview