Communications support for sustainability framework

Summary

​MLA is providing Secretarial support to the Sustainability Steering Group (SSG), appointed by RMAC to lead the development of an Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (the framework).

As outlined in MISP2020 a key priority for the Australian red meat industry is increased transparency and reporting across all areas of broad-base sustainability (including environmental, ethical, social and economic aspects of industry operations).

In November, 2015 RMAC appointed a Sustainability Steering Group (SSG), with members from across the beef value chain to develop the framework report.

The objective of establishing the framework is to meet the changing expectations of customers and stakeholders and ensure continued trust and Market compliance for Australian beef.  With other major beef producing countries publicly progressing with regional roundtables, as part of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB), there is a risk that the Australian industry is perceived as not being focussed on sustainability.

Through multi-stakeholder  dialogue, both within and external to industry the online Framework Report will:

• Define sustainable beef production in an Australian context
• Identify the priority areas and indicators to measure them over time and demonstrate a commitment to continual improvement
• Where data is available, report current performance

Prior to RMAC leading the development of the program there was exploration of how industry could meet it's MISP objectives around improved transparency across animal welfare and environment. These projects ultimately led to the framework approach and have been used by the Steering Group to develop the first framework report.