Environment

Sustainability is essential to Australian red meat production from paddock to plate. At each stage of production, measures are undertaken to reduce emissions and increase efficiency on-farm, at the feedlot and during processing. This ensures Australia's red meat is produced with a dedication to caring for our environment.

Find out more about the real facts behind red meat and the environment at www.redmeatgreenfacts.com.au

MLA invests significantly into research and development to:

• Manage emissions and water use
• Increase biodiversity
• Create energy efficiencies
• Reduce waste
• Implement environmentally sustainable land management practices

There are currently 11 priority on-farm issues relating to natural resource management

Reducing emissions

Since 1990, emissions from red meat production have decreased by 6.5% per kilogram. The Australian red meat industry has invested over $6m annually in research and development to find ways to further improve its environmental performance.

Managing the land for Australia

Australia's cattle, sheep and goat producers are custodians of large parts of the continent. A central part of every farming business is protecting and improving the natural environment in which livestock are produced. Australia's livestock production systems are extensive, using large areas of rangelands and semi-arid land to graze sheep and cattle, much of which can't be used for any other agricultural purpose.

Managing water

Water is a precious commodity in Australia and like all agricultural enterprises the Australian red meat industry is working hard to effectively manage its water resources. Livestock producers employ a variety of measures to use water efficiently in their grazing systems, including maintaining healthy soils with adequate nutrients and minimising run-off. Processing plants, meanwhile, are also changing their operations to improve their water use efficiencies.

Knowledge sharing

MLA is an active member of the Sustainable Agricultural Initiative (SAI) Platform. This unique initiative began in Europe five years ago by world-leading food companies to create a common food and agricultural platform to promote sustainable agriculture at a global level. The SAI Platform is an independent association, operating across the agriculture, food and fibre chain, with the aim of improving sustainability outcomes in a practical way.

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