Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Red Meat Advisory Council, known as RMAC, is the peak body for the Australian beef industry. RMAC has as its members the Australian Meat Industry Council, the Cattle Council of Australia, the Sheepmeat Council of Australia, the Australian Lot Feeders Association and the Australian Livestock Exporters Council. RMAC, the peak body, said:

The Federal Government’s decision to modernise Australia’s import policy as it relates to beef and beef products is scientifically justifiable and supported by industry.

They went on to say:

Until this change, Australia stood out from the international trading community as having an outdated policy developed at a time when scientific knowledge was significantly less than it is today. With the rigorous application of the new rules Australia will continue being recognised as a Negligible BSE Risk country and enjoying the level of trade this has traditionally brought.

There you have it. The peak industry body, RMAC, has put in on the record that they have written to relevant ministers supporting the policy change. They have also issued media releases and written pieces for the rural papers. The industry’s position represents the vast majority of the industry.