Howlett: ALP failing Tassie beef producers
Jane Howlett The Tasmanian ALP state government has failed to ensure that consumers are not misled about the beef they are buying, Jane Howlett, Liberal candidate for Lyons, said today.
“Meat should be clearly labelled with its place and country of origin.
“Tasmanian beef, which is produced without the use of Hormonal Growth Promotants (HGP) and in an environment which is GMO-free should be sold as such, and beef imported into this state should be certified that it has been produced using standards that are as good or better than the standards Tasmanian producers adhere to. Otherwise consumers are buying an inferior meat.
“Because our state government has failed to publicly champion the rigorous standards applying to beef produced in this State, local beef producers have effectively been ‘locked out’ of their own local market as only 8 per cent of the meat in the major Tasmanian supermarkets is sourced from Tasmanian meat producers.
“The meat on supermarket shelves is often being promoted as a premium Tasmanian product when in fact it is an inferior imported product with lower production standards and greater profit margins to the supermarket.
“Although Tasmania has only 1.9 per cent of Australia’s cattle, we produce some of the best beef in the world and the current state government is squandering the hard work done by farmers to achieve this exceptional level of quality,” Ms Howlett said.
It is refreshing to have a candidate from Lyons who actually cares about the issues farmers have. The current crop (especially the ALP ones) seem to hang around handing out happy cheques (of our own money) instead of dealing with the actual issues.
I’m glad Jane is speaking out. Clearly, the ALP is hurting Tasmania’s image with foodies.