Australia-Help sought by farmers.

AUSTRALIA-HELP NEED FOR BEEF FARMERS.

Beef producers in Western Australia say the State Government should offer an assistance package to the industry.

The state’s largest processor, Harvey Beef, has shut down operations for nine days, due to the global financial crisis and a lack of international buyers.

The news caused farmers to pull 1600 cattle from weekly sales at Mt Barker in the Great Southern region.

Feedlotter John Pugh says some external support may be needed to ensure the company survives.

"I think the government might need to get involved," he says.

"If we read into this a little more into this than what we are maybe being told, the government has a responsibility to the WA beef industry."