THE Cattle Council of Australia has urged the major political parties to commit to a greater and longer-term investment in beef industry research and development.
In the lead-up to the July 2 election, CCA is calling for increased investment to allow for collaborative industry funding for priority research and development projects.
Cattle Council of Australia chief executive officer Jed Matz said greater collaboration between industry and government was essential in determining allocation of funding to industry research programs such as the Rural R&D for Profit program.
The Rural R&D for Profit program aims to improve farmgate productivity and profitability, delivering real outcomes for Australian farmers.
Research projects must address advanced technology, biosecurity, natural resource management and R&D adoption.
The Australian government matches eligible R&D expenditure by most rural R&D corporations on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to a cap of 0.5 per cent of an industry's gross value of production.
"The Cattle Council is calling on both parties to commit to improving collaboration between the State and federal governments, research organisations and industry in order to provide long term funding solutions.
"Rural research, development and adoption is vital to helping beef producers enhance their productivity and profitability and meet rising demand for Australian grass fed beef.
"We are also seeking a cross-jurisdictional review of extension services, focused on investigating how research can effectively be communicated to producers.''
Mr Matz said enhanced producer access to agvet chemicals by streamlining the process for product approval and registration was critical.
He called on both major political parties to commit to the long-term sustainability of the red meat supply chain.
"Larger investments and continual funding are necessary to ensure Australia maintains its research capacity, and profitability gains for the beef industry can be realised,'' Mr Matz said.
"Enhancing adoption by producers of positive research outcomes through the effective allocation of extension services is a key priority for industry.
"This requires a co-ordinated approach between the Commonwealth and the States.''
