|
|
|
Beattie upsets graziers
30 Aug 2004
The $3 billion beef industry in Queensland has accused the State Government of doing a backflip on the National Livestock Identification Scheme. Until last week, the state's graziers believed the Government supported a proposal to exempt cattle from the NLIS if they were being moved from their properties of origin direct to slaughter or live export.
However, the Queensland Premier told a meat processors' conference last week the Government would demand compulsory NLIS coverage for all animals to protect future export markets. He described a system based on exemptions as "the coward's way out".
AgForce said the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and its minister have indicated for the last 12 months they supported exemptions - called the alternative pathways model. But a spokesman for the minister, Henry Palaszczuk, said the Government had never committed to either option. The BSE scare in the US has underlined the need for a comprehensive tracking scheme.
NSW and Victoria have adopted NLIS but Queensland and Northern territory cattle producers say it's unnecessary in the north as cattle in these regions are moved far less often.
Australian Financial Review, 30/8/04.
|
|
