Subject: Please forward info! 31 January 2010
Hello there! I'm a 35 year old bloke from Central Queensland. My wife and I run beef cattle across three properties. I'm wondering if you could be so kind in forwarding via email more info about what Mr. Macdonald has said and written and also about the forum. I have about 6 or 7 of my friends about my age wishing to come along. We are also sick and tyred of being 'price takers!'. Thank you to Mr. Macdonald for making a stand! The industry has needed it for a long time!!
Barry and Claire Hoare "Spring Hill" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: letter No4 31 January 2010
Keep up the good work well done John McDonald.
Adrian Spencer
Ironbark Herefords
Barraba
2347
NSW
Beef Producers in Crisis. (Lucy Night Page 1. 21/1/10)
It's high time that David Palmer and those at MLA were given a reality shot. Industry groups in the meat business are constantly stampeding around the subject of the returns being paid to the producer. When he describes the present circumstances as "frightful" you wonder whether he has been to the latest screen thriller or if the organization for which he works is about to slice into his remuneration. I can think of more meaningful adjectives which can't be printed! Personally, I am insulted by his statement referring to the producers meeting being organized by John McDonald in which he states "I would hope the organizers in Armidale are looking for a constructive dialogue, a presentation of absolutely factual and utterly correct information". Honestly, is this a statement from an executive of a group that claims to be associated in any way with beef producers? What exactly does he mean; is he so out of touch with reality that he cannot put 2+2 together when it comes to assessing the dire predicament of beef producers in this country? I have sat through many meetings conducted by MLA which have been nothing more than self advocating combined with the distribution of mountains of data in glossy magazines which look nice although none of these together with the levies which I am paying have seen any benefit to me at all. In fact, these meetings tend to shut out the voice of the producer when the questions come from the floor in relation to cattle prices. It's well past the time when this subject should become inflamed, let's have some heated debate about this 'life preserving' subject. As John says "Our industry is close to crisis point". He is absolutely correct and beef producers should make every effort to get along to Armidale where our predicament can be honestly communicated to consumer groups whom I understand will be present. One thing is absolutely certain, no amount of dialogue with industry groups such as the MLA is going to make one hind quarter of difference to the price we are being paid and our message needs to be put to the consumer who has no idea of the plight faced by beef producers nor the grossly undervalued price which we are paid. We breed the highest quality beef in the world and are paid the lowest price. Our position is unsustainable, a fact which has completely escaped the likes of David Palmer and MLA. Bring on the debate, let's have it out in the open. We desperately need the support of the consumer to get us through this situation. I'm tired of hearing the phrase 'price takers' and 'at the end of the line'. We need a complete change of industry representation (or perhaps that should be misrepresentation). The price we are paid is the life blood of our family's survival and I will be an advocate along with John McDonald in order to place the plight of beef producers in this country firmly at the door of Mrs Jones and her family.
Grahame Edgell, Somerton Park, Hampton NSW
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Subject: RE: letter No4, 12.01.2010
I will be unable to attend but you have my full support. Thank you for standing up for local producers.
Maida Bugg
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06.01.2010
Congratulations Richard! Your Beef labelling proposal sounds almost too good to be true. As a beef producer in South West W.A. I have lobbied for a decent labelling system for beef for years but the MLA have not been interested and neither have most pollies and neither have consumer affairs who seem un bothered by the lack of consumer information on beef packs on super market shelves. I f the labelling will include state of origin, and if it will enable consumers to be able to know whether they are buying free range Grass fed, or grain fed or HGP free if preferred it will be a huge step forward for the consumer and the producer.
For health reasons many people need to have these choices available to them and others just want the right to choose. I really hope as a NSW independent politician Richard that your timely proposal will be adopted Australia wide. The Beef industry is currently at crisis point, especially in the West and this proposal would I believe breathe new life for all. Good Luck with the passage of this bill Richard.
Any further information you may have on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
Regards Vernon Whicher in Western Australia.
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Subject: RE: LABELLING LETTER NO3, 6 January 2010
Happy New Year!
Thank you for the updates. Do you have more info on the Feb 27th meeting in Armidale? (Please excuse me if you have already sent it, but I cannot find anything!)
Kind Regards, Tas
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Subject: RE: LABELLING LETTER NO3, 27 December 2009
Keep up the pressure. We certainly need this labelling bill to go through.
Do you have any idea what sort of CAAB is being used in the Macca's Angus burgers. It is certainly a great marketing campaign but as a producer I would love to know if it is old cow beef or prime beef. As an aside, I breed Red Polls, not Angus although I buy in angus steers in spring and summer.
Regards, Maida Bugg
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Subject: Letter, 22 December 2009
We have forwarded on JR s letter. Our weekly newsletter goes to 100 cattle producers in the New England every week. Please send on anything that you want forwarded out to producers
Regards Sam
Kind Regards,
Sam Ditchfield
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Hi
Please congratulate JR on his ongoing work for beef labelling in Australia. It is sad that the beef producers & processors haven't been supported in this direction which is absolutely essential.
We look forward to the meeting & will continue to support JR.
All the very best to everyone at Bindaree.
Paul & Annette Roots
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Subject: Re: Attached Image, 5 December 2009
Good Morning, I support all of the points raised by John in the attached letter and also in particular the proactive stance taken by Bindaree Beef over the years in being the lone voice amongst the operators in going in to bat for cattle producers in the North and North West. For too long we have been price takers and at the mercy of the big multi national owners and operators, it is high time that we, the producers in conjunction with Bindaree, take a unified stand in marketing our product.
Thanks again for taking the initiative on this issue, we shall be at the University of New England in February to support you on this critical issue. If I am able to help in any way on the day or beforehand in getting the message out, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards
Christopher Wright.
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To JR & Lee
Congratulations on a super human effort with the Armidale Forum.
I have just done my little bit by emailing the NSW senators & Tony Burke.
Thank you
Bronwyn Clarke
Narrabri
