25 July 2008

2 minute read

Oceania

Cattle producers must be aware that new chain of command legislation places them in a situation of liability over any breach of the new rules.

Governments now expect farmers to act as pseudo RTA Officers checking log books and passing judgment as to whether the truckies are fit to deliver their goods to market and then be made liable if a breach occurs. To top it all off, the Energy Credit Grant will eventually be eroded through indexation. There is a huge increase in B-Double registration due to be delivered shortly and the new Fatigue Laws allow road side inspectors to issue demerit points for log book offences on top of increased fines.

The transport industry will have no option but to pass on the cost of all these non productive regulations to us, the suppliers of the commodities that the transport industry services.

The strike due to start on the 28th July, is the only way to send a message that those who produce the food and transport it to market have had enough of government interference in their businesses.

Mr Bellinger said, I urge all farmers to begin preparations to withhold livestock from markets for the duration of the strike, as an act of solidarity with the truck drivers.

Government policy makers are so far removed from the practical business world that a lack of fresh food on supermarket shelves, may be the only language they understand.

Mr Bellinger said, I congratulate the drivers for taking the initiative and acting on this issue, the least we can do as producers is support them. Truckies are crucial to our business and we understand that they have had enough.

TheCattleSite News Desk