The Gulf Cattleman’s Association highlighted their projects and concerns at the Meat and Livestock Beef Up Forum in Karumba on Friday.
Gulf Cattleman’s president, Barry Hughes, spoke on behalf of the grassroots advocacy group that looks after the beef industry across the Gulf and North West regions.
“We get involved in issues that are impacting the northern beef industry,” he said.
“Whether that be in a financial background or industry issues like: vegetation management, live export facility at Karumba or the uncertainty about J-BAS.”
Mr Hughes said the organisation was focusing on issues coming out of the foreshaddowed state election including vegetation management, tree clearing guidelines.
“We are starting to get on the front foot to make sure we are prepared for when the election is called.
“Our role will be to support our other industry bodies in Queensland to make sure that the industry gets the deserved recognition and acknowledgement to their contribution to the Queensland economy.
“We want the decision to allow our industry to be sustainable, and growth to remain viable as cattle enterprises.
“We have already heard from people like Jackie Trad who has said that veg management will be front and centre of their election platform. Having fought that fight once before, we need to be ready to go to battle with the state government again.”
The Gulf Cattleman’s association is also lobbying in support of dredging the Karumba catchment to allow continued operation of the Karumba Live Export facility.
“Dredging the catchment will continue the security for the port of Karumba which is an integral part of the northern beef industry.
“We are certainly not getting support from our state government in regard to the long term sustainability of the port that hasn’t realised its potential yet and it has huge potential for growth and expansion and we are certainly supporting the facility.”
Over the last three months, as J-BAS requirements changed and Biosecurity Plans were implemented, Gulf Cattleman’s secured a workshop in Georgetown to help keep producers informed of the changes.
Mr Hughes said Gulf Cattleman’s tried their hardest to keep producers in the loop but it was difficult when peak industry bodies couldn’t provide answers.
“It is like putting rails up after the horse has already got out, because whilst we now know we have to work with the system there is still a lot of misunderstanding to the J-BAS component and the way it has been rolled out.
“There is still a lot of confusion around the process and the Gulf Cattleman’s Association has been very critical of the way the information has been rolled out, with certainly a lack of education and information in a format that is clear and concise to incorporate into their business.”