Industry issues

MLA commissions independent and apolitical research to inform industry on priority issues and support policy development – through the Peak Industry Council (PIC) structure – for the benefit of the red meat and livestock industry.

These industry issues range from carbon pricing and credits to transport and water policy, chemical reforms and food security.

Research framework

An industry issues research framework has been drafted to ensure research commissioned by MLA:

• is independent and credible;
• aligns with industry policy priorities (as determined by the PICs);
• clearly outlines the roles of MLA and the PICs, and
• aligns with the Deed of Agreement between MLA and the Department of Agriculture.

The Deed of Agreement clearly prohibits MLA from undertaking lobbying activities, therefore MLA commissions independent consultants.

MLA engages key industry stakeholders throughout each consultancy to provide input on draft reports and key progress meetings with the consultant. The final research is provided to PICs, other peak bodies and Government, and is also made publicly available.

The Australian Government and levy payers each contribute 50% towards the research commissioned by MLA.

Research reports

The following reports have been prepared by independent consultants on behalf of MLA since 2009:

• Sheepmeat market structures and systems investigation, Ag Concepts Advisory Pty Limited Trading As Mecardo, and Strategis Partners Pty Limited (December 2017)
• Australia's red meat freight supply chain: Challenges to sector productivity, opportunities for planning and investment reform, Juturna Consulting (August 2017)
• State of the Industry Report: The Australian Red Meat and Livestock Industry (October 2017)
• Tax in Agriculture (December 2016)
• Regulatory costs in the red meat and livestock industries (June 2016)
• Assessment of price transparency in the beef supply chain - milestone 5 (May 2016)
• Cost of transport infrastructure and regulatory constraints in Australian cattle supply chains (March 2016)
• Review of MLA process for registering and determining voting entitlements (September 2015)
• Assessment of price transparency in the beef supply chain - milestone 4 (April 2015)
• Assessment of price transparency in the beef supply chain - milestone 2 & 3 (March 2015)
• Eleven Technical papers summarising the key elements as well as industry related topics that provide the basis for the development of the Beef Language White Paper
• Coal Seam Gas (CSG) operations on livestock property: General information for livestock producers (July 2014)
• Principles for negotiating appropriate co-existence arrangements for agricultural landholders, Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (July 2013)
• Regulatory costs and assistance to the red meat and livestock industry, ProAnd Associates Australia (September 2012)
• Effect of alternate heavy vehicle charges on Australia’s red meat industries, Verve Economics (February 2012)
• Carbon price impacts on red meat producers and processors, Meta Economics (November 2011)
• The impact of a carbon price on Australian farm businesses: cattle production, Australian Farm Institute (June 2011)
• The impact of a carbon price on Australian farm businesses: sheep production, Australian Farm Institute (June 2011)
• The Implications of the Australian Government's Carbon Farming Initiative for Beef Producers, Australian Farm Institute (March 2011)
• A discussion paper on alternative greenhouse emission policies for the Australian Beef Cattle Industry, Australian Farm Institute (March 2010)
• The merits of a consumption approach to agricultural emissions compared with emissions trading, Centre for International Economics (November 2009)
• Possible impacts of the CPRS on the Australian red meat and livestock industry, Centre for International Economics (June 2009)

Publications

• Coal seam gas operations on livestock property - communique to landowners