A message from the Chairman 5 July 2011
Community support for our industry
The urgent reopening of the cattle trade to Indonesia remains a critical issue for our industry, particularly for those producers in the north whose future viability is utterly dependent on it. MLA is doing everything it can to assist with a solution that will allow this to happen. We are also monitoring the impact of this issue on our industry more broadly.
In my last email, I mentioned that domestic demand for beef appears to be unaffected by the issues surrounding the live cattle trade to Indonesia. Today I am able to share some more good news with you regarding current consumer perceptions of our industry.
A recent study conducted by Millward Brown shows that the recent live export issue has had no negative impact on the high regard in which cattle producers are held by the community. In fact more people believe Australian cattle producers are ethical and trustworthy than they did this time last year. This suggests a stronger connection has been made between producers and the community in the last month - a silver lining to the recent spotlight on our industry, and a reaffirmation of the widespread belief that Australian livestock producers have very high standards of integrity.
Another study - commissioned by industry and conducted by NewsPoll last month - showed that 80% of Australians believe the live export trade should be allowed to continue to countries that adhere to world standards for animal welfare.
This is a very reassuring figure showing widespread support for an important sector of our industry and reinforcing the importance of the work industry is funding in livestock markets to get these standards in place and assure the welfare of our livestock overseas.
The tremendous pressure placed on supply chains in Indonesia over the last month has provided the Australian industry with the opportunity to accelerate a number of improvements that had previously been difficult to achieve.
I have told you previously about the industry's $9 million plan presented to the Minister by MLA on 17 June. The elements of this plan fed into the Industry Government Working Group on Live Animal Exports who endorsed a proposal on 24 June and provided it to the Minister.
The proposal puts the responsibility on the commercial supply chains to have appropriate traceability and monitoring systems in place to assure animal welfare and form the basis of reopening the trade with assured supply chains.
Some supply chains are ready to go.
Industry now awaits the Minister's response to this plan. This can then serve as the basis for discussions with Indonesia about import permits and getting shipments started again.
I am heading to Jakarta tomorrow with an industry delegation to meet with representatives of the Indonesian industry and Government to discuss regulatory requirements, current activities and areas for cooperation. I am acutely aware of the need for an urgent outcome this most critical of issues.
I will continue to update you on our progress.
More information on livestock exports to Indonesia
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