A report from Dubai (probably the wealthiest city in the world) showed that Australian marbled steak – the exact equivalent of product selling for $27/kg in Australia is selling for $20/kg.

This follows ABA research showing US consumer prices at almost half Australian prices and Australian beef in Japan being advertised far below Australian prices after a 38 per cent tariff had been added.

Meanwhile, the prices for Australian cattlemen continue to fall and are at least 15 per cent below this time last year. Australian cattlemen are going broke at speed at a time when the world is crying out about the increasing costs of food.

The recent report by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, the Australian National University, and La Trobe University shows the results of a survey of 8000 people and illustrates the rural depression that has developed.

It shows that 21 per cent of farmers in drought-affected areas have had to pawn or sell something in 2006, compared with 16 per cent of farmers in below-average-rainfall areas. Four per cent of farmers had to miss meals because of lack of money. This was 2006! The past 18 months has seen the problem soar, as the alltime record farm debt explodes.

The ACCC Inquiry into Grocery Prices was due to report at the end of the month. I hope it will address the obscene supermarket mark-up on beef, which was forcing cattlebreeders out of business, whilst adding to consumer stress.

Whatever is handed down, the answer will lie with the Federal Government, which commissioned the Inquiry.

The ABA wants anti-trust laws introduced as in USA and a full judicial inquiry into the whole meat industry. We will be pointing this out to Minister Burke if we can ever get an interview with him – we have been trying since December to organise one with him.

Brad Bellinger

CHAIRMAN