A meeting to be held in Casino, NSW, this Monday will focus on new biosecurity and Johne’s management arrangements and cattle producer representation.

Australian Beef Association chief executive officer David Byard said livestock agents in the Casino region had been inundated with questions from producers about how new biosecurity rules and Johne’s regulations will affect their business and ability to trade.

He said the meeting has been organised by livestock agents to give producers clear answers and the opportunity to ask questions.

The meeting will be chaired by Dr Ian Fielding. The first presentation will focus on prevailing industry structures and whether they work to the benefit of “mum and dad” producers.

Speakers include Cattle Council of Australia biosecurity advisor and former CEO Justin Toohey, retired veterinary surgeon Peter Carter, who will explain why he is opposed to the handling of the recently introduced Johne’s regulations, Nick Cameron, manager of Nindooinbah Stud, Beaudesert, who will talk about how the new regulations will effect his business, and past CEO of Australian Meat Holdings and Steggles, John Gunthorpe, an advocate for deregulation of Johne’s disease management, who will discuss industry change to give cattle producers better representation.

Mr Gunthorpe has indicated he will be speaking about the development of new organisations Australian Cattle Industry Council and the Australian Cattle Producers Corporation with producer-elected directors to become the new prescribed industry body in the Red Meat Memorandum of Understanding.

Beef Central understands that Senator Barry O’Sullivan, who is leading the current Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport committee inquiry into consolidation in the red meat processing sector, will also be attending the meeting.

Mr Byard said Cattle Council of Australia and Meat & Livestock Australia had also been invited.

The meeting will be held at 10am at the Casino Civic Hall this Monday, August 21.