Graziers Push For MLA Shake-Up
AUSTRALIA - A group of beef producers will make a formal proposal for a restructure of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) at its annual general meeting in Longreach in central-west Queensland next week.
10 November 2011
1 minute read
The Australian Meat Producers Group, formed after a beef forum in central Queensland last year, says MLA is not an effective lobby group for the industry in its current form.
The model proposes a number of changes, including a voting restructure.
Central Queensland grazier Cameron McIntyre says MLA is unresponsive to grassroots producers.
"They've tended to try and do too many things," he said.
"We feel that their focus should be shifted back on to the core values of the cattle industry.
"Another suggestion we've made is that the cattle council and the sheep meats council be separated.
"We believe the beef industry because of its size and what it represents should be able to run alone and look after itself."
Mr McIntyre says there are serious problems in the beef industry.
"Processors and under pressure, transport operators are under pressure and the beef producers are under pressure," he said.
"The whole chain is having these cost and charges thrust upon them and there's no-one there to argue against them.
"The need for change has become so apparent."
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