The Cattle Council of Australia has released the following media statement this morning on Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce's request for a senate inquiry into the collection and disbursement of levies in the cattle industry:

Cattle Council willingly engages with Senate Inquiry

The Cattle Council of Australia is willing to engage with the Senate Inquiry proposed by Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, into the collection and disbursement levies in the beef industry.

Through consultation with beef producers Cattle Council has been made keenly aware of the issues that Minister Joyce raised; for a number of years grass-fed producers have felt that they do not have sufficient influence on how levies are invested in research and development and marketing for the beef industry.

“The Cattle Council is committed to engaging with the Government to ensure that the best possible arrangements are in place for the benefit of the whole industry and to capture the opportunities for Australian beef producers in the coming decades,” Jed Matz, Cattle Council CEO, said today.

“Cattle Council has been working to take responsibility for its own affairs and strategic direction through the development of its strategic plan ‘Beef 2015 and beyond’, released in February this year.

“The development of the strategic plan included a two year consultation process,” Mr Matz said. “Cattle Council is currently undergoing a restructure process which will ensure that all Australian beef producers have the opportunity to engage with and participate in importance strategic policy decisions affecting the beef industry.

“Cattle Council is looking forward to providing feedback to the Senate Inquiry in order to achieve the best outcomes for the whole Australian beef industry,” Mr Matz said.