Cattle Council seeks restructure backing

The Cattle Council of Australia is waiting on a response from State lobby groups on a proposal to restructure, including accessing a portion of the producer levy.

It is seeking written support from the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and WAFarmers along with counterparts in the north and eastern Australia ahead of a meeting with Federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig in coming weeks.

The need to restructure and access funding was highlighted in Beef 2015 and Beyond, a strategic plan for the grass-fed beef industry.

It showed producers needed a representative body where they could influence policy and a peak council that was able to invest in the industry.

The restructure includes two-year terms for 25 councillors including 11 seats for founding members, with up to six seats for corporate members.

The Cattle Council will lobby industry and the Government to divert $0.38 from the existing marketing levy to strategic policy development.