New animal welfare fund to ease pain for cattle farmers
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig were in Darwin today to meet with representatives of the live cattle trade, who have been struggling since the federal government announced the suspension of live trade with Indonesia a few weeks ago. The trip is Julia Gillard’s second in a matter of weeks as the government also struggles to deal with the fall out of their decision. After today’s meeting with the NT Cattlemen’s Association, the Consolidated Pastoral Company and cattle farmers themselves, the Prime Minister now says she’s keen to see the live trade resume. The Cattle Disease Contingency Fund has today announced a $5million animal welfare fund to try to ease the situation for Australian cattle farmers – but how will it be used?