Secretary's Report
Secretary's Report - Charlie Donzow
In my last report I touched on the recent natural disasters that had occurred in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and the effect it was having on our Beef and Sheep processors.
Unfortunately things have not improved a great deal with some of our state’s biggest sheep processors still struggling to source sufficient stock to maintain 5 day production.
Southern Meats at Goulburn have found it so difficult they have suspended their entire operation and stood all their employees down and at the time of writing this article the plant had been closed for 7 weeks.
The larger exporters are finding it particularly hard given the high value of the Australian dollar against the American greenback, which has made our exports dearer and less competitive on the world market.
We can only hope things will improve in the future; this is small comfort for employees that have to struggle through on short weeks and those that forced to seek alternate work arrangements if they can find any.
Live Animal Export Trade
· Research clearly demonstrates the irrefutable link between job losses in the Australian Meat Processing Industry and the continual expansion of the live export trade.
· A study conducted in 2000 by Dr Selwyn Heilbron and Mr. Terry Larkin concerning the impact of the live cattle industry on the red meat processing industry and updated in 2010, clearly indicates that the live export trade is having an adverse effects on local industry.
· The update to this work indicates that in 2008/09 alone, live export has cost Queensland 1,200 jobs and $140 million in lost income to the State. By 2013 this cost will jump to 2,180 lost jobs and $260 million in lost State income.
· The ACIL Tasman Report, an independent study conducted in 2009 states that for “every $100 of additional output from exporting sheep live produces additional Gross State Product (GSP) of $82.50; for every $100 of additional output in the meat processing sector GSP rises by $101.50.” In summary, a sheep processed in Australia is worth 20 per cent more to our economy than one processed overseas.
· The report also indicates that in instances where live export has been temporarily banned, a dramatic increase in meat imports to that particular country has taken place and that it is clear that Middle Eastern customers accept chilled meat products.
· In 2010 Australian chilled meat exports to the Middle East were worth $110M more than the live sheep trade to the same region. There is clearly a demand for Australia’s chilled meat products, if less stock was sent live we could further grow our chilled meat trade.
· Australia exported 3.5 million live sheep primarily to the Middle East in 2009. Sheep exported to this region face a journey of up to 35 days, from leaving the farm gate in Australia until arriving at their final destination.
· A total of 40,241 sheep died on sea voyages in 2008. 47 per cent of deaths recorded are caused by starvation, due to the failure of sheep to recognise the unfamiliar pellet diet. Salmonellosis caused by stress, overcrowding (three sheep to one square metre for the entire journey) and increased excretion is another common cause of death, as is physical trauma.
· A national Galaxy Poll released in October 2010, demonstrates almost 80 per cent of Australians believe live sheep exports are cruel and should end.
· It’s been estimated that at least 70 per cent of Australian sheep end up in abattoirs when they reach the Middle East which clearly negates the need for live export. With over 70 per cent of Australian abattoirs having Halal accreditation, processing animals is something that should be done in Australia by Australian workers.
· In the last 35 years, more than 150 meat processing facilities have closed in Australia, with an estimated loss of 40,000 jobs. In 2010 alone over 1,000 jobs were lost predominately due to livestock shortages – not due to a lack of demand.
· If precautionary measures are not taken, graziers may well find themselves captives to the live export industry – a volatile industry in terms of demand and one that could well end up a monopoly of overseas buyers.
· The AMIEU are calling on the ALP to shift support away from live exports and towards the more economically viable and humane chilled meat trade.
· The AMIEU demand a level playing field for the Australian processing industry and workers.
· The AMIEU want to see a phase out of the live export trade by 2016 and an increase in the chilled meat trade – a lucrative and viable alternative that will safeguard rural and regional communities against rapid decline, and keep jobs in Australia where they belong.
Vale - Tom Hannan
On a very sad note I must report the passing of our past Secretary TOM HANNAN.
I first met Tom in 1966 when I started work at Riverstone Meatworks. Tom first started work at Riverstone as a 14 year old in 1953, he was then conscripted into National Service with the Army when he was 18 and at the end of his service he went back to work at Riverstone in 1959.
Tom joined the Union in 1959 and became very active at plant level where he became the mutton floor delegate and assistant plant secretary.
Tom went on to become an elected Organiser for the Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union, NSW Branch in 1973 and over the ensuing years held all the following positions in the Branch:
Assistant Secretary: 1981 – 1985
Secretary NSW Branch: 1985 – 1997
President NSW Branch: 1997 – 2002
Vice President NSW Branch: 2002 – 2005
Federal Vice President: 1984 – 1987
Federal President: 1984 – 1987
Dual NSW & Federal Secretary: 1990 – 1997
Federal Secretary: 1990 – 2004 (till retirement)
In his capacity as an Official for the Union and right up until his retirement in 2004, Tom worked tirelessly for the improvement of wages and conditions of employment for workers in the meat industry.
Tom would not only lobby State and Federal Government for funding to improve Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace but also for the introduction of structured training for the meat industry which provided a career path.
Tom was instrumental in the setting up of MINTRAC the training body for the meat industry.
Tom would also lobby on behalf of employers for funding to assist them in creating more employment opportunities particularly in country and regional areas.
Tom Hannan was held in high regard and well respected throughout the meat industry in Australia, not only by the workers but also the employers; his contribution to the industry and on behalf of the workers will not be forgotten.
On a personal note I wish to thank Tom for all the assistance he has given me over the years, it was a pleasure to work with him. Tom will be sorely missed, but not forgotten.
On behalf of the New South Wales Branch, Officials, Staff and Members we express our deepest sympathies to his family for their loss.
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