National’s Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie today welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Interim Report into the cattle and beef industry which revealed allegations of anti-competitive conduct in the industry.
The ACCC found competitiveness of Australian beef and cattle markets could be improved by the adoption of objective carcase grading, improvements to the nature and coverage of market reporting and the implementation of a range of measures to lessen the risk of collusive and anti-competitive behaviours in saleyard auctions.
The ACCC Interim Report supports concerns expressed to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, instigated by Senator McKenzie, which released its own interim report last May.
“That Committee heard evidence that clearly demonstrated producer concerns about a lack of transparency and unequal bargaining power with the big meat processors,”
“The evidence given to the Senate Inquiry prompted the ACCC to carry out its own investigation into the cattle and beef industry in Australia to examine competition, efficiency, transparency and trading issues in the beef and cattle supply chain.
“It’s Interim Report has also found serious short comings in current price reporting and the independence and auditing of carcase grading and concerns about cartel and other conduct affecting competition at saleyard auctions.
“As the earlier Senate Committee found, this Report raised concerns that some saleyard auctions practices make them susceptible to anti-competitive behaviour,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The ACCC is now seeking industry feedback following the release of the interim report and I would urge producers to provide that feedback.
“I would also encourage feedback to the Senate Inquiry which continues through until next year,” Senator McKenzie said.
The ACCC Interim Report is available at:
http://accc.gov.au/publications/cattle-and-beef-market-study-interim-report
Senator Bridget McKenzie
Nationals Senator for Victoria
