BIOSECURITY, native vegetation laws and drought were topics open for discussion today with Queensland Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne.
Speaking at the Rural Press Club of Queensland lunch in Brisbane, Mr Byrne announced the state government would review Queensland's biosecurity capabilities.
Mr Byrne described cuts under the former government to biosecurity as "ruthless".
"By military experience, when you lose 26 per cent of your troops in a military unit it's normally a non-combat effect," he said.
"I think biosecurity is one of the biggest challenges and risks for this state going forward given that we are a frontline state in terms of exposure to those risks.
"One thing the community expects is that government will do everything in its power to ensure that industry and communities that rely on firm, sensible, well-resourced biosecurity assets can receive them."
Minister for agriculture and fisheries Hon. Bill Byrne MP takes the floor at the @RuralPressClub meeting. pic.twitter.com/KAMf64hZqe
Min @BillByrneMP says he's been misquoted on #LiveExports His view is based on being MP for Rockhampton @AgForceQLD @RuralPressClub #AusAg
@BillByrneMP says he is well aware of challenges but prospects in ag are bright. #QCL @RuralPressClub
Mr Byrne also spoke about his position on live exports and said live export markets contributed considerably to the viability of cattle in the Tropics.
"I recognise that live cattle exports provide a very real option and choice for many producers," he said.
"What has to be recognised is that it is less than five per cent of the export beef that goes out of this state and producers and meatworks operators are in a symbiotic relationship."
Mr Byrne said he wanted to see issues around agriculture become a discussion of ideas, about the future and what was possible.
He said he wanted to see a future where prosperity was the catchword and sustainability was the evidence.
"We accept that there will be friction and disagreement but my view has always been that friction and disagreement are healthy tests of ideas," he said.
"My decisions will largely be based on the evidence presented to me and it's my job to make sure that evidence is tested by everybody that's got skin in the game.
"I'm well aware of the challenges that are presented to all of us in terms of the future of agriculture but there's no doubt that the prospects in the long term are incredibly bright for good, hardworking industry in this state."