The importance of Australia’s relationship with Indonesia and the challenge of restoring profitability to the beef production sector are among the key topics of discussion at a northern Australian beef industry forum underway in Mount Isa today.

The Northern ‘Steakholder’ Forum, organised by AgForce Queensland, the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association, Cattle Council of Australia and Meat & Livestock Australia, has attracted more than 150 producers and industry participants from across Queensland, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Indonesia.

AgForce Queensland has used the event to launch its ‘Agriculture – 30 Issues, 30 Days’ campaign in which it will seek to bring one important agricultural issue a day, for 30 days, to the attention of key policy makers and the general public.

The first matter of significance highlighted by the initiative in Mt Isa today surrounds the live export trade.

AgForce General President, Ian Burnett, said live export was one of the most urgent issues requiring government action.

“The live export industry has still not recovered from the damage inflicted upon it by the temporary suspension of trade to Indonesia in June 2011,” Mr Burnett said.
“Mount Isa was the ideal place to launch the campaign given the businesses of so many beef producers in the north west of Queensland have been shattered by the slowdown of live exports.”

Mr Burnett said AgForce was calling for the live export relationship with Indonesia to be re-established as a matter of priorityand for the Australian Government and industry to commit to the Meat and Livestock Australia Indonesian Strategy for boxed beef and livestock to ensure a coordinated approach to Australia's engagement with Indonesia.

Mareeba district beef producer and AgForce Cattle Board Director, Alex Stubbs, said given Australia’s global leadership in animal welfare the live export market was ideally positioned to supply protein to the burgeoning world population.

“Australia leads animal welfare in live export throughout the world and now through the Export Supply Chain Assurance Scheme (ESCAS) we provide the baseline of how animals must be treated,” Mr Stubbs said.

“Both sides of government now need to engage with Indonesia on a number of issues, rebuild trust and provide an assurance that as the world expects trade to flow we’ll meet those world requirements.”

For more information about AgForce’s 30 issues in 30 days campaign, visit the AgForce Queensland website here

• Beef Central’s Jon Condon is moderating today’s Northern Beef Steakholder forum in Mt Isa today. Keep an eye on Beef Central for more reports today and tomorrow