A delegation of Ovens Valley beef producers went to Canberra on Tuesday to meet with Advisors, MP’s and Senators to discuss the progress and their concerns about recent and current senate inquiries into the Australian beef industry.

Loretta Carroll, Jane Carney and Julian Carroll from Mudgegonga and Rosewhite made the trip on the suggestion by the local member for Indi, Cathy McGowan.

“The politicians we met with gave us a genuinely warm reception and were very forthcoming in their feedback, opinions and advice” said Loretta Carroll.

The delegation met with Senators the Hon Bill Heffernan, Glenn Sterle, Members of Parliament John Cobb, Joel Fitzgibbon (Shadow Minister for Agriculture), and Andrew Henderson (advisor to Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce).

“It was pleasing to see the behind-the-scenes machinations of Canberra. MP’s, Senators and their staff are actually very productive and incredibly hard working.  It was refreshing to see that all three parties had worked cooperatively together on the senate inquiry and recommendations for Industry structures and systems governing levies on grass-fed cattle.”

The trio learned that the government has effectively completed their response to that inquiry, it is with the Prime Minister’s office, and should be announced shortly.

“We will have to wait for the Government to release their response before we can really comment on it.  But reading between the lines, we suspect they will fall short of implementing all aspects of the 7 Senate recommendations.  While that will disappoint some groups in the beef industry, I think there will still be very significant, and positive change”, said Julian Carroll.

The delegation also discussed the current Senate inquiry, Effect of market consolidation on the red meat processing sector, and were pleased that everyone they spoke to shared their concerns.

“We learned that the senators involved in the earlier inquiry will be part of the current inquiry and so already have an excellent grasp of the problems facing the sector.”

One of the consistent messages the group heard from the politicians they met with was that if they want to see change they have to make noise.   Visiting Canberra, contacting politicians, and writing submissions are all important ways to be heard.  One the fears the group hold is that the recent turnaround in beef prices will make beef producers complacent.

“We have no doubt that the processors are well organised and lobbying hard.  It is imperative that producers continue to make noise and agitate for change.  We can’t stress enough how important it is for concerned beef producers to lodge a submission to that inquiry before the end of June.”

Submissions to the red meat consolidation senate inquiry can be made up until 30^th June 2015. Private submissions can be made to protect the identity of any beef producer fearing ramifications for speaking out.