Independent report confirms livestock exports vital to regional communities
20/08/2007
Australia’s livestock export industry has welcomed an independent report confirming the industry’s vital contribution to regional communities throughout Australia.
The report, Assessing the Value of the Livestock Export Industry to Regional Australia, examined the five regions most reliant on the industry – the Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria and the northern and southern regions of Western Australia*.
The report found the industry contributes $0.83 billion** per year to these regional economies, and generates employment for over 11,000 Australians in these areas.
LiveCorp CEO, Cameron Hall endorsed the report: “The Australian livestock industry makes a huge contribution to regional areas throughout Australia, and in times of drought this contribution is all the more important in helping families and communities survive difficult times.
“The industry plays a crucial role in underpinning the economic activity and social wellbeing of large slices of rural and remote Australia.
“This is particularly true in Western Australia, where sheep and cattle producers are most dependent on the industry.
“That is why we are working so hard to ensure the trade is constantly improving, and remains a viable livelihood for regional communities and farming families,” said Mr Hall.
A breakdown of the five regions found that:
- The sheep trade from the southern region of Western Australia contributes $273 million** to the local economy each year and employs 4,118 Australians. The cattle trade from this region contributes $111 million** and employs 1,672 Australians;
- The cattle trade from the northern region of Western Australia contributes $87 million** to the local economy per year and employs 1,045 Australians;
- The Northern Territory cattle trade contributes $157 million** to the local economy per year and employs 1,821 Australians;
- The Victorian dairy cattle trade contributes $107 million** to the local economy per year and employs 1,206 Australians; and
- The Queensland cattle trade contributes $96 million** to the local economy per year and employs 1,213 Australians.
*The report was commissioned by Meat and Livestock Australia and LiveCorp.
**Gross Regional Product
Download a copy of the Livestock Export Regional Value Report 2007 (PDF, 1MB)
Any further information about this media release, please contact:
Yvette Farrell, Communication Manager Livestock Exports, MLA/LiveCorp, 02 9463 9388 or 0416 189 775
Andrew Bradley, Wilkinson Media, 02 8001 8888 or 0403 777 137
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