The Victorian Farmers Federation met with other State Farming Organisations (SFOs) and the Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) last week to discuss representation for Australian cattle producers.
The SFOs collectively reaffirmed their support for the Cattle Council of Australia, and to jointly support the Cattle Council of Australia’s decision to depart from the Cattle Australia Implementation Committee.
CCA will continue to work on developing a contemporary structure to best represent the interests of all cattle producers and enhance industry wide coordination.
The Implementation Committee was instigated at the behest of a senate inquiry, but the process has ultimately failed to deliver.
“They’ve had three years to get it right and they’ve failed to do so. That’s long enough by anyone’s standard,” said Leonard Vallance, VFF Livestock President. “They failed to provide a funding model, and a workable structure for the new body. Their suggested fifteen regions were not viable and would’ve led to huge financial burden on the industry.”
The Cattle Council of Australia already has the ability to represent all cattle producers, with membership being open and accessible.
Producers can sign up to be a direct member of Cattle Council for $100, or VFF members can sign up direct for free as well as being represented by the VFF.
The new 15 region model proposed would create a complete disconnect between state and national representation.
SFOs are the peak industry bodies for cattle in their states, representing beef producers on state legislation such as animal welfare and biosecurity, and first established CCA to represent industry. This provides the perfect avenue for policy development from grassroots through to state and national levels. They also provide a voice for farmers on all issues affecting their business including energy, rates, transport and telecommunications and more.
“The SFOs provide a free service for Peak Industry Councils through board member training, industry knowledge, and taking care of local and state issues, which allows bodies like Cattle Council to focus on national and international trade and market access issues,” said Mr Vallance.
The VFF gives accountability back to the producer through an elected model and provides grassroots representation through a network of more than 200 branches in nine regions, with 12 elected regional councillors.
“I encourage all beef producers to join the VFF and support state representation and receive the commercial business benefits associated or join Cattle Council directly and have your voice heard. The time for throwing stones is over, sign up and have your say”, called Mr Vallance.
Whether through a body such as the VFF, or as independent members, producers are able to join and stand for office in the Cattle Council of Australia, which already has the ability to represent all cattle producers in Australia.
-VFF