Cattle Australia: New peak body asking for farmer input as changeover nears

The implementation of the plan to replace the former peak body with the new — Cattle Australia — is in its final stages. And they’re asking for farmer input.

A push for a better-resourced and fresh-faced cattle industry peak body is reaching its final stages.

A proposal currently seeking producer feedback will see the creation of a new national peak body for the grass-fed cattle industry — Cattle Australia — which will replace Cattle Council of Australia.

The changeover to Cattle Australia is expected at the start of July. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Key differences in the new organisation will see the board of directors independently elected rather than nominated by state farming organisations.

And there is a move to secure 10 per cent or 50 cents of the $5 cattle transaction levy for the purposes of funding the new organisation,

The changeover to Cattle Australia is expected to occur by July 1.

Restructure Committee chairman Andrew Macaulay said the proposed Cattle Australia was designed to provide cattle producers with “a unified, visible and influential voice”.

“(Cattle Australia) will advocate on important matters to the industry, lead and direct policy development and its implementation and protect the profitability, competitiveness, and future of the cattle industry,” Mr Macaulay said.

The new structure will see Cattle Australia governed by a board of seven elected directors and two skills-based directors.

State farming organisations will have a seat at a policy advisory council, which will include 15 producer representatives, eight state farming organisation representatives and an independent chairman.

The current Cattle Council of Australia board has eight members nominated by state farming organisations, two independent directors (one northern and one southern producer) and the president.

Mr Macaulay said the move to change came from the grassroots, with producers, governments and industry groups recognising the industry must be “united, well represented and inclusive”.

“Cattle Australia will build on important work undertaken by Cattle Council of Australia over the past 43 years however Cattle Australia’s new governance structure will have a broader representative base, allowing it to represent the interests of all Australian grass-fed cattle producers,” he said.

Producers can have their say on the proposed Cattle Australia in a number of ways including visiting its website at cattleaustralia.com.au or emailing [e-mail]. Deadline for consultation is April 15.

Webinars on Cattle Australia will detail the changes, are open to all producers, and will be held on March 30, 6pm-7pm, April 4, 9am-10am and April 8, 6pm-7pm.