Developed by sheep industry leaders, the framework lists 21 priorities across four themes: caring for our sheep; enhancing the environment and climate; looking after our people, our customers and the community; and ensuring a financially resilient industry.
The framework has been developed by an industry-led Sustainability Steering Group and follows a year of close consultation with industry stakeholders and the broader community.
Australian Sheep Sustainability Framework Steering Group chair and Holbrook wool and prime lamb producer Professor Bruce Allworth said the industry acknowledged there were challenges linked to the many available opportunities.
“For the industry to seize these opportunities, we need to ensure we address challenges such as ensuring businesses are financially sustainable, avoiding land degradation and biodiversity loss, managing climate risk and water scarcity, meeting expectations on animal welfare, and protecting human rights in the global supply chain,” Prof Allworth said.
“Across the 21 priorities there are relevant indicators and metrics so we can measure and track industry performance year on year.
“This evidence base will help ensure continued access to markets and capital for Australian sheep businesses. It will also support continuous improvement across the industry.”
Prof Allworth said implementation for the framework would be addressed through a three-year strategy with annual plans that would engage industry stakeholders and experts to tackle sustainability challenges for the industry.
Sheep Producers Australia chair Chris Mirams said there were significant opportunities available to Australia’s sheep industry as a result of the world’s growing interest and demand for sustainably produced food and fibre.
“Increasing access to markets and investment, building confidence in the integrity of sheep meat and wool products, enhancing community trust and better rewarding industry are some of the opportunities we have as a result of this growing consumer interest,” Mr Mirams said.
“The Australian Sheep Sustainability Framework has been designed and developed so our sheep industry can best harness these opportunities.”
Consumer trends and demand offer a real opportunity for the sheep industry according to Wool Producers Australia president Ed Storey, who said better articulating the industry's sustainability story and improved transparency was a critical part of that success.
“To me, being transparent is the key to the Australian sheep industry seizing our opportunities and maximising the benefits,” he said.
“Having this industry-led framework means that we will provide an open and honest picture of our high standards of practice and performance using the most appropriate and robust data available.”
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