The Beef Marketing Funding Committee is currently looking into the funding requirements for Meat and Livestock Australia’s domestic and international marketing programs.

The beef marketing levy increased by $1.50 on 1 January 2006 after cattle producers voted in a nationwide poll in 2005 to increase the amount needed for beef marketing.

This took the overall cattle transaction levy to $5.00 per head, effective from 1 January 2006.

In mid-2009, it will propose a per head transaction levy rate to meet these requirements.

This proposal will then be put to a vote of levy payers to determine industry support.

The call for public submissions has been made to ensure the committee undertakes a comprehensive analysis, which considers the needs of all cattle levy payers.

Submissions must address the following criteria:

• Issues, challenges and opportunities for marketing Australian beef and live exports.

•The supply outlook for Australian beef and cattle including herd size, location and composition, age of turnoff, production methods, carcase attributes and weights.

• Priority areas for industry marketing strategies.

Written submissions must be no longer than 2,000 words and should be mailed to:

The Chairman

Beef Marketing Funding Committee

Locked Bag 991

North Sydney NSW 2059

The deadline for submissions is 5pm, December 15.