Korean imports up 22pc in 2011

Korean beef imports from January to October this year were 22pc higher than the same period last year, according to Meat and Livestock Australia. Korea imported 259,571 tonnes swt of beef from January to October 2011. Chilled beef imports rose by almost 5000 tonnes swt, while Korea’s frozen beef imports increased a massive 42,285 tonnes swt. Frozen beef accounted for 85pc of total imports this year, compared with 84pc last year. US frozen beef accounted for 70pc of the rise in frozen beef volumes this year, while Australian beef made up 26pc and Mexico 4pc. However, 81pc of Korea’s increase in imported chilled beef volumes in the last 10 months was sourced from Australia. For the year, Australia’s total market share stands at 49pc, while the US (38pc), New Zealand (12pc) and Mexico (2pc) accounted for the remainder.

Qld: Rent incentives for land access agreements with traditional owers

Substantial incentives have been secured for Queensland landholders who enter into lasting property-access agreements with traditional owners.  AgForce Native Title spokesman John Stewart said a newly passed State Government bill provided a simpler way for property owners and traditional owners to negotiate Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs). “The State Government’s support for the template pastoral ILUA is a big win for pastoralists as it provides the opportunity for a 25% reduction in land rent for five years to landholders who sign,” Mr Stewart said. “The template ILUA creates opportunities for native title claimants to access pastoral properties for traditional purposes. Until now, parties have had to negotiate their own local agreements with no access to a template agreement to assist them.” The 25pc reduction offered significant incentives for landholders to enter into ILUA’s. “Some of our larger members have rent bills of almost $200,000 per year, so this could save them as much as $40,000. Even smaller property owners paying around $10,000 in rent could save $2500,” Mr Stewart said. There are eight ILUAs already signed in north-west Queensland, and another 50 are in negotiation.
Landholders can view Agforce’s ILUA template here www.agforceqld.org.au > Polices and Issues > Policy Areas > Native Title.

WA: Farmers welcome ALP support for live exports

A vote in favour of continuing the live export trade at the Australian Labor Party’s annual conference last weekend has been welcomed by the Western Australian Farmers Federation. President, Mike Norton said animal welfare was a primary concern for Australian producers. The new supply chain regulations provide an enhanced structure for improved animal welfare standards across all of Australia’s live export markets. “The ALP has recognised the financial pain which the live export suspension caused to the industry earlier in the year, and can now see the benefits that the live export industry delivers for Australia,” Mr Norton said. “People have now had the time to review the issue and look at the situation rationally. The live export industry delivers many benefits to northern and southern Australia including the provisions of jobs, particularly for indigenous Australians.” He said new regulations imposed by the Federal Government were sufficient, and any further restrictions would devastate regional economies in Western Australia.

NSW: Review fails to address landholder concerns over opal mining

The NSW Farmers Association has expressed disappointment in the final report from a NSW Government review into problems facing landholders affected by opal claims around Lightning Ridge. NSW Farmers ceo Matt Brand said the report fell short of addressing the problems landholders faced daily, such as trespassing, unauthorised roads and inadequate land rehabilitation. “Landholders had hoped the O’Farrell Government would finally put a stop to this nonsense by ensuring the current legislation is enforced, and strengthening it into the future,” he said. “Former Federal Court judge Murray Wilcox has given the Government a way out by saying there’s no point imposing conditions that its unable – or unwilling – to police.“That’s completely unacceptable. If a law isn’t being enforced, or doesn’t afford your land water or property rights the protections they deserve, then something has to change,” he said. NSW Farmers is also disappointed the report failed to recommend better rules for land rehabilitation, and failed to look at access management plans. However, it was pleased with recommendations for modest increases to compensation, better systems to notify landholders of claims, as well as identification cards and vehicle stickers for authorised prospectors.

UK: Online website to help butchers boost cabinet displays

A peak livestock industry body in the UK has developed a new online tool to help butchers maximise the effectiveness of their cabinet displays. UK website meatinfo.co.uk reports that the free-to-use tool contains advice and information on merchandising techniques and consumer shopper behaviour. “It points out ‘hot spots’ – the parts of the store or cabinet that customers are automatically drawn to – such as the centre of long displays or the right hand side of short displays. It also gives advice on the best time of day to attract passing trade and gives ideas for occassion-based layouts and seasonal promotions,” meatinfo.co.uk said. Eblex retail project manager Chris Leeman said “Most customers are susceptible to impulse purchases, so by ensuring that your cabinets are well-stocked and effectively merchandised, you can encourage them to buy the products that you want to sell. “The merchandising tool is designed to help you do that. As well as the hints and advice section, it also features an interactive cabinet planner which can help with rearranging your layout for key events and promotions.” The online tool can be viewed here.