Downward Spiral for Australian Cattlemen
AUSTRALIA - ABA Chairman, Brad Bellinger has reasserted that Australian cattlemen continue to fall and are at least 15% below where they were this time last year.
15 July 2008
1 minute read
The recent report by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, the Australian National University, and La Trobe University shows the results of a survey of 8, 000 people and illustrates the rural depression that has developed in Australia.
It shows that 21 per cent of farmers in drought-affected areas have had to pawn or sell something in 2006, compared with 16 per cent of farmers in below-average-rainfall areas. Four percent of farmers had to miss meals because of lack of money. Mr Bellinger says that since then the problems have soared, as the all time record farm debt explodes.
Mr Bellinger said, The ACCC Inquiry into Grocery Prices was due to report at the end of the month. "I hope it will address the obscene supermarket mark-up on beef, which was forcing cattle breeders out of business, whilst adding to consumer stress. "
The ABA Chairman said, Whatever is handed down, the answer will lie with the Federal Government who commissioned the Inquiry.
The ABA wants Anti Trust laws introduced as in USA and a full Judicial Inquiry into the whole meat industry. We will be pointing this out to Minister Burke if we can ever get an interview with him - we have been trying since December to organise one with him, Mr Bellinger said.
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