The Port of Townsville is the focal point of the Queensland livestock export trade.

THE Australian livestock export industry’s bi-annual conference may have been postponed for 12 months due to travel restrictions caused by State-based COVID lockdowns, but a Queensland event on October 28 will fill an important information and networking gap for industry stakeholders either already in, or able to travel to, the Sunshine State.

The Queensland Livestock Exporters Association has decided to hold a face to face Annual General Meeting and industry information day in Townsville on October 28.

Greg Pankhurst (centre) facilitating a panel sessions held as part of the 2019 LivexChange conference in Townsville.

QLEA President Greg Pankhurst said the event will bring together interested parties from across industry and government to review the past 12 months and more importantly look at prospects and challenges for the next 12 months and beyond.

A wide range of speakers including representatives of the livestock export industry, associated businesses and Government, in addition to online presentations from import sector stakeholders in Indonesia and Vietnam, will feature on the program.

In recognition of the young people leading the industry forward the event will also feature a presentation of the inaugural Queensland Livestock Exporters Association/Young Livestock Exporters Network Recognition Award.

Nominations are still being accepted. Mr Pankhurst said the award is a great opportunity to acknowledge a young person for their achievements and contributions to the Queensland industry industry that are not ordinarily recognised.

Nominations are open to anyone under 40 currently working in the livestock export supply chain in Queensland with demonstrated leadership, initiative and passion for the live export industry.

The winner will receive a $1000 bursary for a professional development course of their choosing and an offer to sit as an observer on QLEA Executive meetings.

Nominations close on October 21 and can be emailed to admin@qlea.org.

Mr Pankhurst said the past 18 months have been trying for everyone but Australian agriculture had continued to operate supplying food and fibre to the world.

“Live export has been part of this ongoing supply, and although somewhat reduced in volume, it has continued to underpin prices to the livestock industry in northern Australia to the extent where cattle prices are at record highs.

“This has not come without some hurdles both here in Australia and in the countries we supply globally.

“Reaching all live export stakeholders to discuss industry matters has also not been easy and we still believe there is no better way than a face to face catch-up to discuss what has, is and may occur in the live export industry.”

The Queensland Livestock Exporters Association AGM and information day will be held at Rydges Townsville on Thursday 28 October, with information sessions from from 10:30am – 5:00pm followed by the annual QLEA dinner.

An attendance fee of $50 will apply to non-QLEA members.

Attendance can be confirmed by completing the registration form at this link.