B.GOA.2403 - Development plan for a Goat Industry Sustainability Framework
A Goat Industry Sustainability Framework offers major benefits to the goat meat industry by enabling it to measure and report sustainability performance, showcase progress, and build consumer trust.
| Project start date: | 12 August 2024 |
| Project end date: | 30 November 2025 |
| Publication date: | 09 January 2026 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Goat |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Summary
The Australian goat industry is a dynamic, fast-growing, and export-dominant sector. To maintain current markets and provide more market access opportunities, there is a growing need to demonstrate its sustainability credentials.
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) commissioned Currie to determine the business case for a Goat Industry Sustainability Framework (GISF) and outline how such a framework could be developed.
The project followed a three-phase methodology: Discover, Design, and Deliver. The Discover phase involved forming an Industry Reference Group, conducting a desktop review, and stakeholder mapping. The Design phase included stakeholder interviews, analysing insights, and running co-design workshops. The Deliver phase involved delivering a final report synthesising findings and recommendations.
Key results included:
• The business case for a GISF is strong, driven by external pressures—policy, consumer demand, market access, and finance—and internal opportunities. Goats offer sustainability advantages and stakeholders overwhelmingly support a GISF.
• A GISF could be developed through a structured, multi-phase process over about two years, overseen by a seven-member GICA-appointed Sustainability Steering Group (SSG) and supported by a dedicated team.
The project shows that a GISF would help the Australian goat sector thrive by aligning with global sustainability trends and meeting the expectations of consumers, retailers, and policymakers.
Objectives
• A report that will outline the pertinent stakeholders, pathways to implementing a Goat Industry Sustainability Framework and the business case for development – successfully met
• It is to be delivered within six months -met within seven months (delays around stakeholder interviews)
• Engaging with key stakeholders during its development, as described in the methodology, to encourage buy-in to the project – successfully met, see Appendix 1
• The potential impact depends on whether the goat sector decides to develop a Framework using the plan in the report. If followed, the Framework could protect the sector’s social licence to operate and help it meet market requirements, access finance and more into the future. It could also guide the sector to continuous improvement, including through investment in R&D - on track
Key findings
This project set out to determine the business case for a GISF and outline how such a framework could be developed. It found:
• The business case for a GISF is strong, driven by external pressures—policy, consumer demand, market access, and finance—and internal opportunities. Goats offer sustainability advantages and stakeholders overwhelmingly support a GISF.
• A GISF could be developed through a structured, multi-phase process over about two years, overseen by a seven-member GICA-appointed Sustainability Steering Group (SSG) and supported by a dedicated team.
Benefits to industry
A GISF offers major benefits to the goat meat industry by enabling it to measure and report sustainability performance, showcase progress, and build consumer trust. It supports market access by aligning with global sustainability standards and helps drive positive change through improved practices and lower emissions. Collectively, these advantages enhance the industry's resilience, reputation, and long-term global competitiveness.
MLA action
MLA have communicated the findings from this project with GIRDAC who have prioritised investment in the building of the Goat Industry Sustainability Framework.
Future research
GIRDAC have prioritised the building of the Goat Industry Sustainability Framework for FY26 investment.
More information
| Project manager: | Daniel Forwood |
| Contact email: | Reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | Currie Communications Pty Ltd |
