HYDEN cattle and grain producer Vern Mouritz doesn't know why consumers would eat beef from BSE affected countries when they have clean, green Australian beef to choose from.
He thinks allowing beef in from countries once affected by mad cow disease is not a good idea for the consumer, for the market or for the producer.
"As a local producer we can't get value for money from our own product," he said.
"If the government thinks consumers want the choice of beef from a BSE affected country or clean green Australian beef, they're slow learners.
"I don't think they should let any beef in from any BSE or foot and mouth affected country, I totally disagree with it."
Mr Mouritz believes the last thing beef producers need in WA is more competition from external sources of beef.
"I think at the producer point of view it comes down to making a living out of it, and I can't see any reason why the Australian farmer, whether it be grain or beef should subsidise the consumer and that's what we're doing," he said.
"And we have the choice as farmers not to do it, while there's still equity in our business.
"We shouldn't be giving the consumer a choice, there should only be one; and that's Australian beef."
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