A legal challenge over the process that led to the formation of Cattle Australia as the peak national representative body for grassfed cattle producers in Australia has been formally withdrawn by Cattle Producers Australia.

Representatives of the board of directors of Cattle Australia (CA) confirmed to Beef Central today that after two months of meetings and communications between senior leaders of CA and Cattle Producers Australia (CPA) settlement of the litigation between those two bodies has been reached.

Details provided indicate CA and CPA have agreed on a process going forward.

The Board of CPA advised the Supreme Court of Queensland that CPA wished to settle the matter by withdrawing its application for a hearing to challenge the originating constitution of the newly formed Cattle Australia.

In signing the Deed of Settlement, CPA chair Ernie Camp thanked his fellow CPA leadership group including Dr Paul Wright, Cameron McIntyre, Norman Hunt and Loretta Carroll for their commitment to pursuing positive outcomes for grassfed cattle producers and agreeing the settlement that provides a clear way forward for Cattle Australia to deliver on its Industry representative missions and goals.

Cattle Australia deputy chair Garry Edwards said that CA has taken on feedback from CPA and had agreed and committed to doing an early review of the Policy Advisory Council (PAC) component of the CA constitution.

The completion of the important review prior to the appointment of the new PAC, required under the constitution, will give all Cattle Australia members surety that CA will follow through on the process of delivering National representation and genuine industry reform, he said.

‘A great step forward’

Mr Edwards called the settlement “a great step forward” in creating the unity that’s needed for Cattle Australia to be the peak national representative body for our grassfed cattle industry”.

He said he also congratulated CPA leaders “for their positive engagement with CA since its inception and their leadership to reach this decision and welcomed the chance to represent their interests at the national table.

“The settling of this matter clears the way forward for Cattle Australia to begin its task to represent the best interests of grass roots cattle producers across our nation.”