V.MFS.0008 - 2025 Red Meat Packaging Stewardship

Summary

A collaborative approach engaging key industry stakeholders is required to support the ongoing development and implementation of a red meat stewardship program that considers potential implications on productivity, consumer sentiment and possible market access technical non-tariff imposts.

Objectives

To provide strategic advice and support to deliver the following:

1. Develop a high-level stakeholder engagement plan.
2. Support facilitation of Red Meat Packaging forums/workshops.
3. Support the revision of the Red Meat Packaging Stewardship framework.
4. Assist with the development of a collaborative communication plan to support outcomes of the next steps / future planning identified by the stakeholders and agreed by MLA.

Key findings

The Centre supported MLA to facilitate a Packaging Stewardship Forum on eco-modulation where representatives across the red meat packaging supply chain heard from experts on the application of eco-modulation from a packaging stewardship perspective, including what eco-modulated fees proposed by APCO meant for the industry, how eco-modulation has been applied globally, why and how eco-modulation can drive environmentally positive changes in the manufacture, use and recovery of used packaging and the likelihood and timing of such an instrument being implemented in Australia.

MLA representatives met one on one with senior executives from multiple existing product stewardship schemes including Tyres Stewardship Australia, B-Cycle and AgSafe (Drum Muster and Big Bag Recovery) with potential collaborative opportunities identified in improving awareness and management of on farm waste for future consideration.

A Practical Guide to Managing On Farm Waste was published providing practical actions producers can take to reduce, reuse and properly dispose of waste streams commonly found on farming enterprises by working with product stewardship schemes for tyres, oils, batteries, silage wrap, agricultural and veterinary chemicals and containers, agricultural plastics bags, lighting and solar panels.

The guide was developed in close consultation with the relevant product stewardship schemes and has been published on the Centre website, promoted through the Centre’s LinkedIn online forum and Farm Waste e-news.  It will also be printed and made available at producer facing events.

Benefits to industry

As government packaging stewardship policy and regulations, packaging design and recycling evolve both locally and overseas there is a need to continue to engage with Red Meat Packaging Supply Chain through the Packaging Stewardship Forum on government policy and regulations, and global packaging trends and regulations as well as review and update the Red Meat Packaging Stewardship Framework in response to changing government policies and innovations in packaging design.

MLA action

By championing packaging and on farm product stewardship approaches, MLA and its members can drive a leadership position that fosters innovation, sustainability and circularity while navigating the changing regulations.

Future research

With the establishment of new relationships with existing product stewardship schemes there are a number of collaboration opportunities for MLA to explore that will help red meat producers and processes improve the management of on farm tyre, battery, agricultural plastic and solar panel wastes including producer surveys and on farm collection trials.