As country met the city for the Ekka, the Queensland Labor government has unveiled a beef processing strategy they say will boost the state's overall cattle industry.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk released the three-year strategy on Monday at the Brisbane showgrounds.
Ms Palaszczuk said it was an ideal time and place to release the beef strategy, while also reflecting on the recovery challenge being met by flood devastated producers and the encouraging export figures.
"Beef processing, one of the state's largest manufacturing industries, directly employs around 10,000 workers, many in regional communities," she said.
"The industry is integral to the total beef cattle supply chain, from regional producers to shipping ports, and we have developed the strategy in consultation with major beef processors and industry representatives."
The Queensland Beef Processing Strategy 2019-2022 identified increasing industry engagement and representation, improving livestock freight, building and retaining a skilled workforce and investing in supply chain and processing efficiency as the key priorities.
But Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington has hit back at the strategy, claiming it's too little, too late.
"This glossy brochure is not going to make up for five years of neglect by the Palaszczuk Labor Government," she said.
"Labor's anti-farmer vegetation management laws, overbearing reef laws and going soft on animal extremists who trespass on farms cannot be undone with one small announcement at Ekka. It's hypocritical too that the Labor Government has acknowledged the importance of road freight within the sector, all the while slashing fodder freight subsidies for drought stricken Queensland farmers."
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the plan was a blueprint for Queensland to be the protein provider of choice for the Asia Pacific region and beyond for the next century.
"By enhancing engagement with industry, ensuring the efficient movement of livestock and freight via road and rail, building and retaining a skilled workforce, and investing in supply chain and processing efficiency we will continue to grow this vital industry," he said.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said despite the flooding in north west Queensland, beef exports rose $903 million to $5.8 billion in 2018-19.
"This is 18.4 per cent higher than the $4.9 billion last year - an incredible achievement for a state in the grip of prolonged drought and following on from the flooding," he said.
