Federal Government Shocks Cattle Industry with Environmental Law Overhaul

The Federal Government has caused a stir within the cattle industry with its recent announcement of a deal struck with the Greens to significantly reform Australia’s environmental laws. This development has left many in the agricultural sector reeling, particularly due to the lack of detailed information regarding the implications of these new regulations.

Industry groups, both in agriculture and beyond, are expressing dismay, especially since they anticipated a more collaborative approach involving negotiations with the Coalition rather than a swift passage through the Senate. For many, a deal with the Greens represents the worst-case scenario.

Despite the shock, this turn of events is not entirely unexpected for the cattle industry. The current Labor Government has consistently demonstrated a disregard for agricultural interests since taking office in 2022, implementing laws that complicate business operations and constrain industry input on legislative changes.

Shortly after their election victory, the Labor Government announced plans to phase out live sheep exports. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former Agriculture Minister Murray Watt attended Beef 2024 in Rockhampton, where they accepted the industry’s hospitality but left without addressing questions. Their next step was a sudden announcement in Perth regarding the cessation of live sheep exports.

Subsequently, they introduced new climate reporting regulations, anticipated to cost the industry millions and affect nearly all producers. Many within the sector were caught off guard by these changes, as they were swiftly passed with backing from the Teals and Greens.

As reported by Beef Central, several major producers remained unaware of the climate reporting laws even six months post-approval.

In July, the Government further announced relaxed restrictions on US beef imports, following pressure from US President Donald Trump and the American cattle industry. Once again, the Australian cattle industry was scarcely consulted and continues to have concerns regarding the lack of equivalent safety standards in the US.

As noted by Mark Harvey-Sutton, CEO of the Australian Live Exporters’ Council, during the Livexchange conference, “No amount of science or reasoning will change Labor’s mind about live sheep exports; it was politics, it was politics, it was politics.”

Where to Now for Environmental Laws?

The recent changes present a crucial moment for the cattle industry amid ongoing debates over environmental regulations. There are valuable lessons to be drawn from the “Keep the Sheep” campaign, which sought to protect the live sheep export industry.

While that campaign ultimately failed to repeal the policy, it garnered significant grassroots support for agriculture and the live export sector. Industry leaders are now looking to harness similar community backing to protect the future of live cattle exports.

Many believe that a proactive approach regarding environmental issues is essential, similar to the steps taken during the “Keep the Sheep” campaign. However, it must be acknowledged that some producers have already been seeking to engage with these discussions actively.

Environmental organizations like the Australian Conservation Foundation have invested considerable time and resources into lobbying for legal reforms, akin to efforts by the RSPCA in the live export debate. While they seem to have a strong presence, the support for agricultural interests could be more substantial than often perceived, as demonstrated by the support for the cattle industry during recent campaigns.