PUBLIC consultation is now open for cattle producers and other stakeholders to have their say on the proposed new national peak body, Cattle Australia, and its work priorities.

A new website has been launched where more information can be found on Cattle Australia, which can be visited at this link: www.cattleaustralia.com.au.

A media release issued today said a series of webinars has also been planned for producers to learn more about the new organisation’s purpose and development process, and to provide feedback.

The consultation process is open until Friday 15 April 2022.

In today’s media statement, Andrew Macaulay, Independent Chair of the Restructure Steering Committee, said the consultation period was critical in ensuring that Cattle Australia can realise its vision of representing the interests of all Australian cattle producers.

“Cattle Australia has been designed to provide cattle producers with a unified, visible, and influential voice and to advocate on important matters to the industry, lead and direct policy development and its implementation, and protect the profitability, competitiveness and future of the cattle industry,” he said.

“However, to achieve this we need to hear from producers on what areas of work Cattle Australia should focus on and where it should direct investment to support industry growth. I encourage cattle producers and other interested parties to share their thoughts so that Cattle Australia can effectively represent the interests of producers and strengthen the grass-fed sector and broader beef cattle industry.”

Today’s media release said Cattle Australia is a result of collaboration between industry and government over the past 12 months to ensure the cattle industry can meet current and future challenges as well as contribute to the Commonwealth’s goal for the agricultural sector to become a $100 billion industry by 2030.

To support the consultation period and help producers learn more about Cattle Australia and its development process, the new Cattle Australia website has been launched and a series of webinars are scheduled throughout March and April.

“We are excited to see the Cattle Australia brand come to life through the website and to provide a new channel for stakeholders to interact with the organisation. The website is a great resource for those who want to know more about the Cattle Australia journey and its purpose, as well as to provide feedback on its work priorities during this consultation period,” said Mr Macaulay.

“We are also looking forward to engaging with producers during our upcoming webinar series. These webinars will outline why Cattle Australia exists and how it came to be, and allow producers another avenue to share their views on what they think Cattle Australia’s key focus areas should be.”

Producers and other stakeholders can provide their feedback by visiting the Cattle Australia website at www.cattleaustralia.com.au or emailing cattle.feedback@three60consulting.com.au.

The Cattle Australia webinars are free to attend and open to all producers and other interested parties; however, registration is essential:

• Monday 21 March – 7am-8am AEST – register here
• Wednesday 30 March – 6pm-7pm AEST – register here
• Monday 4 April – 9am-10am AEST – register here
• Friday 8 April – 6pm-7pm AEST– register here

According to today’s media release, input received during public consultation will help guide the next steps of Cattle Australia’s development.

It says it is planned that the new peak body will officially launch on 1 July 2022, with the Cattle Council of Australia’s responsibilities transitioning to Cattle Australia.

SOURCE: Grass-fed Cattle Industry Restructure Steering Committee