The Cattle Council of Australia (Cattle Council) has for some time been working to improve its operational structure, governance, funding and membership. Two independent reviews were initiated by CCA in 2006/07 (Structure) and 2007/08 (Governance).
Cattle Council formed a Working Group in 2009 to assess issues around national representation of the beef industry. Feedback from options presented to Cattle Council meetings in 2010 and early 2011 assisted the Board to prepare the model which was circulated to the membership prior to the Cattle Council Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November 2011 and subsequently considered at that meeting.
Leading up to the 2011 AGM, Cattle Council became aware of a significant push by the broader beef industry to attend the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) AGM in Longreach (the day after Cattle Council AGM) to discuss industry structures and funding. While this push for a reformed structure is nothing new, the desire for change has never before been so publicly debated.
Following the Longreach meetings, Cattle Council has held meetings with key industry groups and has reviewed various non-Cattle Council models that have been circulated for discussion. Based on this preliminary consultation, Cattle Council has prepared a DRAFT funding and structural model, for the national organisation with the object of better representing the Australian grassfed beef producers. The aim of this paper is to prompt discussion within the sector.
As a valued contributor to the grassfed beef industry, we encourage you to review this paper and take the opportunity to provide feedback. If you would like to make comment on the paper, please submit your comments in writing to cca@cattlecouncil.com.au or C/- Cattle Council of Australia, PO Box E10, Kingston ACT 2600.
Andrew Ogilvie
President of Cattle Council of Australia
