Oldtimer said:Murgen said:Why would RCALF host this org. form Australia and tell them they would rather have Aussie beef in the US, over Canadian?
http://www.austbeef.com.au/default.asp?RegID=15403
That ones simple- Australia hasn't found 7 BSE cattle- 3 of which were POST feedban- and isn't proposing to dump a bunch of high risk cattle into the US system- which is not prepared for them....Australia also doesn't create the captive supply Packer owned to manipulate prices with problem that Canada does ....
Does this sound familiar?
ABA – no friend of Australian beef producers
October 26, 2004
Cattle Council of Australia Media Release
http://www.cattlecouncil.com.au/
“The Australian Beef Association (ABA), are an extremist minority group, more intent on an agenda of self promotion through fear and confusion, than progressing the issues which will influence the profitability and future of Australian beef producers”, said Cattle Council President, Keith Adams.
“The ABA is now associating with extremist groups in other countries such as R-CALF. R-CALF is a right wing US based organisation which has previously issued statements claiming Australian beef producers receive subsidies that put them at an unfair advantage in international markets and congratulating US senators who voted against the US AUS FTA. R-CALF has also held joint press conferences with radical anti-beef activist groups to target the USDA’s handling of BSE. By associating with such radical groups, the ABA have again demonstrated they are no friend of Australian beef producers.”
Keith Adams also said that, “in the lead-up to the Federal election, the ABA and their associates launched a vitriolic attack on the Federal Government and the National Party in particular. This included public rallies where they attacked senior Ministers such as John Anderson, Mark Vaile and Warren Truss and claimed their supporters would punish them in the Federal election over issues such as NLIS. They even supported candidates opposing some Ministers”.
“The result could not have been more graphic, with the electorate rejecting the ABA mantra out of hand. As we know, the Coalition was returned with an increased majority and Ministers such as Warren Truss also increased their margin, despite the ABA smear campaign. This is a graphic illustration that producers know that you cannot run a country or an industry on single or side issues. Much more is needed in these positions of responsibility than fear and confusion. You also have to be able to demonstrate a capacity to deal with the big issues and deliver.”
Mr Adams said, “that in comparison, the Cattle Council (whose membership dwarfs that of the ABA) is prepared to deal with the difficult issues and debate these with government in a firm, but reasoned manner. This has resulted in commitments such as $20 million form the Federal Government to assist producers with implementation of the NLIS.”
“There are many challenges facing the Australian beef industry such as BSE, the marketing of Australian beef around the world and reducing market access barriers. It is these things which will have the greatest impact on the profitability of beef producers, not the ABA’s extremist agenda and its fixation on industry structures.”
‘As the saying goes – if you fly with the crows, you get shot with the crows. The ABA would do well to bear this in mind.”