Environmental value chain innovation RD&A strategy for the Australian Red Meat Industry

Summary

The Australian Red Meat Industry has made great strides in reducing its environmental footprint, however most progress has occurred at the sector level (on-farm, at processing facilities, etc.). With this in mind, the purpose of this project is to develop a research, development and adoption (RD&A) strategy to guide the development of environmentally sustainable value chains that link supply chain participants, and in doing so create value for multiple supply-chain participants, with a clear value proposition for producers.  For example, new products from red meat processing waste which increase productivity and profitability on-farm. Realisation of these opportunities requires an economic value proposition for the participants involved. The cost(s) and value proposition(s) for various sectors involved will be a central component of this project.

The Strategy will encompass red meat value chain participants within Australia, including production, feedlotting, transportation, processing, and retail. However the actions arising from the Strategy will be limited to what the Industry can implement; i.e. factors that are under the direct influence of the Industry over the period 2016 to 2020.

The strategy will be aligned with Meat Industry Strategic Plan (MISP) 2020 which focuses on increasing profitability of the red meat and livestock industry in a sustainable manner while protecting the environment.