AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2000
Fed: Live export trade a boon to regional areas
CANBERRA, Aug 26 AAP - The live export of sheep and cattle is proving a boon to parts
of regional Australia, a new report has found.
The report, commissioned by the Australian Livestock Export Corporation (ALEC), found
the live meat trade was pumping more than $700 million into the economy while generating
about 9,000 jobs.
But it was the regions, such as north Queensland, Hamilton and Portland in western
Victoria, Broome and the west Kimberley of Western Australia, that did exceptionally well.
In northern Queensland, the report found the live meat trade added $40.3 million and
938 jobs to the local economy outside the direct benefits to producers.
Corporation chief executive Kevin Shiell said the trade was important to producers,
transport operators and fodder suppliers.
He said for every dollar spent in the export process, another 50 cents in flow-on benefits
went to regional areas.
"The report confirms how regional Australia and the nation as a whole has benefited
from the growth in livestock export trade," Mr Shiell said in a statement.
"The economic contribution and job creation if focussed in regional Australia, where
other opportunities are limited and often contracting.
"Not only do producers benefit directly from additional demand for livestock, but the
community as a whole reaps significant flow-on benefits."
The report found the live meat trade was worth $18 million and a 242-job boost to
Broome and west Kimberley area, $27.3 million and 771 jobs to Katherine and Darwin, and
$20.9 million and 577 jobs to Fremantle and south Perth.
AAP sw/rs
KEYWORD: CATTLE
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