Central Queensland beef producer and AgForce director Justin MacDonnell unveiled details of how the proposed plan would work to delegates at the Queensland Angus Forum in Roma on Wednesday.

Mr MacDonnell said a certified standard for pasture fed cattle would take advantage of the willingness of consumers to buy food they felt was being ethically and naturally produced.

But he was loath to push grass fed product against that of the grain fed category, saying it was his aim to get people eating more beef overall.

Developed with the full backing of Cattle Council Australia, on which he sits as a director, Mr MacDonnell stressed the plan was still a “work in progress” and feedback from producers would be welcome.

“The first and most important point to note is that Cattle Council and industry is not creating a brand,” he said.

“We are creating an accreditation scheme, a process by which people can verify compliance with set criteria.

“This is important so that domestic consumers can have confidence in what they are buying, but also it is this accreditation scheme that will allow us to meet the requirements of key export markets like the US where opportunities exist for pasture fed product.”

Mr MacDonnell was among a range of speakers at Wednesday’s forum, many of whom gave those attending a rousing pep talk on the glowing future for Angus cattle.

The specially convened State forum was the first of its kind for the breed in Queensland, drawing strong attendance - bigger than the recent national conference held in Albury, NSW.

State president Justin Boshammer said the numbers had exceeded expectations, providing organisers with the confidence to consider holding the event every two years.