AGRIBUSINESS & LIVESTOCK

We know Agribusiness & Livestock

OUR PEOPLE
  • Emma Salerno
  • Matteo Salerno
AGRIBUSINESS & LIVESTOCK

Having commercial interests in the northern beef cattle industry and her previous role as the Vice-Chair of the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association, Emma has extensive experience representing members of the pastoral industry in many respects.

As an accredited mediator and having practised as a barrister, Emma is regularly engaged to advocate on behalf of industry or landholders to negotiate with government (at both the departmental and Ministerial level) to advance the interests of her clients.

Emma has fought and won against the State on many occasions.

She was lead counsel in the matter of SAWA Pty Ltd v RSPCA (WA) which was successfully concluded in the Western Australian Court of Appeal. This matter involved the practice of dehorning, and Emma’s experience and practical understanding of the pastoral industry resulted in the client being acquitted of all charges and obtaining a costs order against the RSPCA. The result of this prosecution has significant implications for the protection of standard practises in the pastoral industry.

Emma’s team are engaged in large agribusiness transactions, projects and mergers and acquisitions.

Our Agribusiness and Livestock team have high levels of direct industry ownership, experience and expertise.

WE CAN HELP WITH

  • agribusiness transactions, large scale projects, mergers and acquisitions;

  • buy and sell pastoral properties / businesses, farming properties, processing facilities, stock agency businesses etc;

  • trading livestock and other agricultural assets as well as registering security interests;

  • deal with Native Title interests, negotiate with TO’s, Aboriginal cultural heritage requirements, negotiating ILUA’s and obtaining approvals;

  • applying for water licenses and other permits and approvals;

  • with compliance with animal welfare regulations and defending prosecutions;

OUR EXPERIENCE

Represented members of the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association (KPCA) in a decidedly successful Class Action objecting to the Western Australian Valuer General (VG) 2019 pastoral rent assessment. The VG rent assessment had increased rents by more than 300% for some pastoralists. The class action objection resulted in all objections being allowed and pastoral rents being decreased by up to 250% in some cases.

We acted for the developer of the Hughenden Abattoir proposal, including all Australian Government approvals, PPA arrangements and development of the project consortium relationships.

Acted for a client funded by the National Farmers Fighting Fund in an urgent interlocutory application against the ABC to prevent footage of dehorning cattle from being broadcast. That application was successful both at first instance and on appeal by the ABC in the WA Court of Appeal.

Acted for one of Australia’s leading multinational milk distributors regarding their franchising and distribution networks and providing general advice on day-to-day operations.