A.BSF.0004 - ABSF Supply Chain Alignment
Did you know the ABSF aims to reduce risks and leverage opportunities in the beef industry by managing what is most important to its stakeholders?
| Project start date: | 28 January 2025 |
| Project end date: | 30 November 2025 |
| Publication date: | 04 May 2026 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Summary
This project delivered several key activities to determine how and why stakeholders are aligning with the ABSF including, a desktop review of eight corporate sustainability reports (see milestone report in appendix 1), written and verbal surveys to get a deeper understanding of the drivers and challenges of alignment, development of two case studies and recommendations for future iterations of the ABSF.
Objectives
Seven years after the development of the ABSF, it is time to understand how stakeholders are aligning their own sustainability processes with the ABSF and how well the ABSF is working for the industry.
Key findings
Findings from this project were that the ABSF has been very successful in elucidating the most material challenges for the beef industry and developing a high-level framework to guide stakeholders at the beginning of their sustainability journey, telling positive stories about the industry, bringing diverse stakeholders together to play a leadership role and creating connection across the value chain through twice-yearly forums. Recommendations include that the ABSF could play a stronger role in aligning metrics with market access requirements, pivot from focussing on the retailer, food service provider and corporates within the value chain (most of whom now have established ESG frameworks) to supporting producers to collect data, report and drive on-ground changes, especially considering the mandatory climate reporting requirements that are being introduced.
Benefits to industry
This project demonstrated that the ABSF is playing an important role in supporting the beef industry through materiality assessments, providing a consistent approach to sustainability, industry data collection, annual reporting and biannual events which create connection across industry. With strong governance and diverse industry support, there is opportunity for a bolder approach to leadership and for the ABSF to be adapted to better meet market access requirements and support producers. This will strengthen the opportunities to drive on-ground sustainability improvements and continue to support the Australian beef clean, green reputation.
MLA action
MLA will provide recommendations to the industry to enhance the usage and uptake of the ABSF.
Future research
To-date, the return on investment created by the ABSF is unknown. This should be quantified and the information used to develop some principles around the ratio of investment in monitoring/reporting/data collection with investment in on-ground initiatives that result in tangible improvements in sustainability, climate resilience and productivity.
More information
| Project manager: | Jacob Betros |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | Pinion Advisory Trust |
