Jed Matz, Policy Director of the Cattle Council and Cattle Councillor and AgForce member, Justin MacDonnell (Injune, Queensland) represented Australian beef producers views at the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) summit on climate change in Copenhagen in May this year.
During the visit the joint Cattle Council and the National Farmers Federation (NFF) delegation indentified from discussions with other farmer groups that other countries are:
· Now better aware that the Kyoto accounting rules do not recognise the positive contribution that can be made by beef producers on-farm,
particularly with regard to soil carbon sequestration.
· Surprised that Australia and New Zealand are considering capping agriculture emissions, as this would exert pressure on food production
Cattle Council, through the NFF, will continue to work with IFAP to ensure Australia’s messages are recognized internationally to promote a level international playing field for the beef industry.
