June 10, 2010

The Pastoralists and Graziers' Association (PGA) is pushing for the manufacture of a port facility for live cattle export at Point Torment, north of Derby.

The push has also renewed the debate as to whether an abattoir facility in Western Australia's north would be a viable option.

Premier Colin Barnett endorsed the Point Torment site for proposed oil and gas shipping infrastructures, which was welcomed by PGA president Rob Gillam who said he hoped the livestock industry could also benefit from the project.

"We will be registering an early expression of interest in the new port to have live cattle export facilities included in the project," Mr Gillam said.

The northern cattle industry desperately needs an alternative port to Broome and to Darwin, especially with the deep water capacity Point Torment would offer larger, more viable shipping. There is currently no viable case for a meat processing facility in the north and the cattle industry will be increasingly dependent on overseas markets such as the Middle East that require larger vessels than those currently using Broome.

"We would also see opportunities for Aboriginal enterprises to build and operate the cattle holding yards that would be required at Point Torment, similar to their operations on Roebuck Plains station near Broome," Gillam added.

Mr Gillam said they were still pleased that work had been done in regards to a meat processing facility in the north and their support would be guided by the results of that work, however any development would need to be free enterprise.

"I guess urgency has been added to that situation by the news that Indonesia has imposed a 350 kilogramme weight limit on imported cattle. There is no doubt that there will be cows over that limit and they will need an outlet. There had been talk of the Katherine abattoir reopening, but we have not heard yet if they will take cattle or just camels," Gillam said.

Milne Agrigroup and Liveringa Pastoral Co managing director Graham Laitt said an abattoir facility in the north was still needed to give producers an alternative when cattle were not suitable for live export.