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Expert tells Sheep Conference that compensation package “a joke”

A renowned red meat industry expert has told a packed auditorium at the LambEx convention that the Government’s ban on live exports was “the front door to a world of pain for farmers”.

Presenting at a breakfast session, pre-eminent industry authority, Dr Peter Barnard denounced the Government’s ban, calling its compensation “a pittance” and said that “if [we] act together and vigorously, we can overturn the ban.”

ALEC CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton said the comments were encouraging and that Dr Barnard’s examination of the facts were supported by industry.

“We know this will devastate small towns in WA.  There were numerous examples of how this will affect shearers, local towns, IGAs and petrol stations. Mr Barnard said it would cause immense damage in the longer term.”

“The transition package is manifestly inadequate, with Dr Barnard saying that “no amount of compensation is sufficient”. The flow on effects  of the ban will traumatise farmers  and their families for decades.”

Dr Barnard said “If industry focuses on the adequacy of the transition package, then it will have it will have lost sight of the bigger fight at hand.”

Dr Barnard urged the industry to keep sight of the bigger picture in fighting the ban.

“His words were a warning and a rallying cry,” said Mr Harvey-Sutton.

MEDIA

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