A number of long forecast challenges to Australia’s meat industry have now arrived, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Chairman Don Heatley told the organization’s annual meeting.

In his Chairman’s address at the MLA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Adelaide, Heatley applauded livestock producers for their foresight and hard work in preparing the Australian industry to meet these challenges.

Heatley said that in the face of prolonged drought, more demanding consumers and increasing competition from other red meat exporting countries it was vital the industry remained positive about the future.

“Our industry is in a strong and fortunate position with domestic and global demand for beef, lamb and goat still very strong,” Heatley said.

Heatley also made a call for the industry to remain focused amid the challenges and stressed that there was an enormous amount to be positive about.

“We owe it to ourselves and everyone involved in our industry to speak proudly about the position we are in,” Heatley said.

“The industry is in good shape, we should be proud of it, and I am confident that we can keep ahead of our rivals and can successfully respond to the challenges the industry faces.”

In his address at the AGM, MLA Managing Director David Palmer outlined the main highlights for the industry and MLA over the past 12 months including the continued growth in expenditure on red meat and livestock.

“Domestic expenditure on beef grew by a further 6.5 percent to $6.4 billion while lamb rose a further 4.5 percent to $1.78 billion,” Palmer said.

Source: meatnews.com