ACCC Cattle and Beef Market Study welcomed

National Party Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie today welcomed
the ACCC Study into Australia’s
cattle and beef markets which she said goes to the heart of problems in the
industry raised with her over many years.
‘For decades, I have been hearing about a culture of fear and intimidation throughout the beef
industry and the ACCC Study addresses many of those concerns.
“A constant complaint that I have heard over a considerable time is the lack of
transparency around how decisions are made inside the processing plant once a
carcase is on the hook.
“The recommendations that look at implementing an objective carcase
rating scheme are very welcome,” Senator McKenzie said.
“For a market to operate effectively and to deliver returns to the
entire supply chain, there needs to be transparency around how prices are set.
“Everybody needs to be able to understand why that particular beast
fetched that particular amount of money on that market.
“Farmers need to have that information available to them in a manner
they understand, to use that information in their farming practices and to know
if they are meeting market expectations.
“At the moment that is not occurring and the ACCC recommendation that price grids should be made publically available and that they are easy to interpret and compare is a
good one and vital for farmers,” Senator McKenzie said.
“As I have also been suggesting, the ACCC Study found that improvements to market reporting are needed with cattle prices reported across sales channels on the same basis so
that indicative prices for each channel are easily comparable.
“I particularly support the recommendation that the Red Meat Advisory Council should develop a uniform and independent complaints and dispute resolution process to give
confidence back to the industry.
“Another positive recommendation is that selling agents should display the terms of auction in a prominent position at all saleyards.
“I support the ACCC recommended that the Red Meat Advisory Council should have prime
responsibility for overseeing the recommendations and for monitoring their
compliance.
“I am disappointed that the study doesn’t recommend strengthening the compliance
law so the Barnawartha boycott of February 2015 can’t happen again and that
there were no recommendations on pre or post sale weighing”.
Senator McKenzie said she would encourage everyone concerned in the study’s recommendations to take swift action on their implementation to return confidence to the
industry.
“I would also like to see the Red Meat Advisory Council and other interested
parties including the ACCC appear before the Rural and Regional Affairs and
Transport References Committee before the its Senate Report is finalised in
coming months,” Senator McKenzie said.