KEY National Party figures in Queensland, backed by Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, are building an alliance of powerful beef industry stakeholders to thwart the WWF-inspired Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB).
Led by Nationals Senators Barry O'Sullivan and Ron Boswell and due to be launched today, the plan involves holding an inaugural "square-table" meeting of Australian beef industry representative groups to develop national environmental and sustainability guidelines for beef production.
The planned series of meat industry representative group conferences will work towards collating the existing programs and reports that establish the Australian beef sector's ongoing commitment to establishing sustainability credentials.
Queensland Country Life understands the square-table alternative has the support of multiple farming lobby groups, although both Senators are remaining tight-lipped on who has been approached to participate.
"There really is no need for Australia's involvement at this Global Roundtable for Sustainability," Mr O'Sullivan said. "Why does the Australian beef industry need to start all over again and waste money participating in the global roundtable when we already have reliable and world-class, sustainable credentials?
"This square-table process aims to save a lot of time and money by collating the already trustworthy work our sector is doing in the push towards sustainability. I know some peak industry bodies believe they need a seat at the global roundtable, but it is a slippery slope.
"Recent examples such as the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil prove the WWF's modus operandi is to work towards an annual certification scheme that will become another level of regulation and cost impost on every part of the beef-supply chain.
"The WWF is trying to get its hands into the pockets of Australian producers at a time when no one can afford it."
Mr O'Sullivan said a "common-sense" approach was needed to share the sustainable credentials of the Australian beef supply chain with its biggest customers.
"The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef is the latest attempt by the green movement to impose itself on business operators."
Leaders of environmental groups around the globe have drawn a significant income for decades from their ability to disrupt the decisions of business operators and generate cheap newspaper headlines.
"Any move towards providing the details of the Australian beef sector's credentials in sustainability does not need to include groups such as the WWF. This organisation's involvement at the roundtable has been controversial from the beginning, yet the WWF has never provided an explanation as to exactly what it contributes to the process. The WWF has no skin in the game. Its participation is driven by sheer ideological zealotry and self-interest.
"There are several leaders within the WWF who earn a weekly income simply because this organisation sits on the global roundtable. The only people who should participate are those who might be burdened by any costs associated with this initiative.
"McDonald's believes the global roundtable will increase its market share. However, before it starts judging the performance and commitment of Australia producers, perhaps its head office should be investigating the subsidy system in the United States that challenges our international competitiveness, or the beef labour force in other parts of the world that pays workers less than $2 per day."
Mr Boswell said the square-table alternative provided an excellent opportunity for the beef industry to discuss its future direction without the involvement of environmental groups.
"I am confident we can collate the existing data to reassure our customers that the Australian beef industry already has a strong and ongoing commitment to sustainability," he said.
"Australian beef producers spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year to ensure they provide a world-class product, while consciously working towards minimising any environmental impact."
"No one doubts this.
"And it is important to note that this is done every day, without any involvement or contribution from the WWF. "
