Cattle grazing in the Alps

[william williams]

Manny were you like me when I was a little tacker. the only time I sat on the fence was when I was 4 years old I hung a chaff bag over a post and rail fence climbed on board and sung out to mum LOOK I"M RIDING OLD TROOPER then proptly fell off. That was the last time I sat on the fence

Bill Williams

[David Campbell]

Interesting where this debate has gone. Stephen asked a reasonable question and it seems to have morphed into a city vs country/ latte sippers vs bushies/know-nothing wet-behind-the-ears greenies vs know-everything wise old rural sages argument. Here’s another perspective.

It’s an economic and political issue. The mountain cattlemen want to regain access to land in the high country because their fathers and grandfathers had it and it means cheap grazing. The Victorian Coalition promised it to them, not for environmental reasons, but purely in order to get the support of the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria in the recent election. The MCAV knew that cattle grazing was not popular with the general public and specifically warned its members not to campaign directly in favour of it. Their campaign brochure stated: "It is the view of the MCAV Central Council that direct campaigning for the return of cattle grazing at the forthcoming election will not resonate with voters.”

Consequently, the MCAV simply called on its members to campaign for the Coalition in 14 Victorian seats, particularly concentrating on the seat of East Gippsland held by the Independent Craig Ingram. As a result, Ingram lost to the National Party’s Tim Bull.

The Coalition unexpectedly won the election and now has to honour its promise. It is using the cover of yet more scientific research, the legality of which is under question, to do so.

[Stephen Whiteside]

Many thanks for those interesting perspectives, David. I didn't know a lot of that.