LIVE export is shaping as a key economic driver for Cape York Peninsula, with negotiations underway for the first boat out of Weipa in seven years.
AgForce has been working closely with key stakeholders including the Cape York Peninsula Live Export Group for the past 18 months on the deal.
AgForce regional manager Paul Burke said a company was interested in taking a boat out of Weipa later this year, bound for the Philippines, with efforts currently underway to determine the number of cattle available.
“There are some pretty exciting things happening in the short term that may be able to come off,” Mr Burke said.
“The company is looking for about 3200 head of cattle, weighing 350kg plus.”
Mr Burke said while there may be some logistical issues involved with the shipment, it was critical that it happened.
“If we get our first boat out of Weipa and we get some ability to manage some of our lands in a different way and clear a bit of land for a hay paddock then we are starting to get somewhere and that’s good for everyone in the Cape,” Mr Burke said.
“Not just graziers; it will create jobs and a level of enthusiasm we haven’t had for a long time.
“We have to make the first boat happen because the opportunity may not present itself again.
“In true Cape style we will make it happen.”
Cameron McLean, Merluna Station, said reopening the live export market would mean everything for Cape York.
“If we had export up and running, starting off with small boats, it would make a big difference,” Mr McLean said.
“We have to have exporter confidence and then we get the confidence in people up this way to support it.”
Mr McLean, a member of the Cape York Live Exporters Group, said finding the right buyer for the type of cattle on the Cape was important to its success.
“We have got the numbers if they want to do a small boat but it’s getting the exporters to do a deal with their clients,” Mr McLean said.
“We know the market we have got and we have to find a buyer for that market...that’s what it comes down to.”
