BEEF PRODUCERS BACK COALITION ON MAD COW BILL

More than 1,200 beef producers voted overwhelmingly on Saturday to support the Nationals Liberal Coalition effort to stop Rudd Labor’s relaxation of Australia’s strict quarantine rules that allow ‘mad cow’ beef imports from today.

Nationals NSW Senator Fiona Nash, who attended the beef producers forum at Armidale on the weekend, said the loud and clear message from producers to industry leaders was ‘say no to Rudd Labor on mad cow imports’.
 
“Forum attendees voted overwhelmingly for Rudd Labor to reverse its position on ‘mad cow’ imports and told industry leaders to support the Coalition’s Private Members Bill in the interests of the Australian beef sector,” said Senator Fiona Nash

“Beef producers are not happy. They are telling me they’re unhappy with RMAC and the Cattle Council, saying industry leaders have lost touch with the farmers they claim to represent.”

“The Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) and its member organisations, including the Australian Meat Industry Council, and the Cattle Council of Australia have been strong supporters of Rudd Labor’s ‘mad cow’ import plans saying member support for the change justified their stand.

“The Armidale declarations of beef producers tell a different story.

“On March 9 the Coalition will introduce into the Senate a Private Members Bill to demand beef imports to Australia are subject to the same high standards as Australian beef intended for our domestic and export markets.

“The Coalition will demand equivalency and ensure beef imports go through a full Import Risk Assessment.”

“Under the Coalition Bill any country that has had a ‘mad cow’ outbreak must have the equivalent of our NLIS before they can import beef into Australia.

“Rudd Labor might be happy to let ‘mad cow’ beef into Australia, but the Nationals in Coalition will not!

“Why should we let anyone relax Australia’s quarantine rules to allow beef in from countries which have lower standards than Australian producers?” 

Media Contact:    Clare Taylor                 0447 340 025

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