First Annual Report of SSF launched at Australian Sheep and Wool Show

Djaara traditional owner Troy Firebrace delivers a Welcome to Country at the Sheep Sustainability Framework Annual Report launch event.

Key stakeholders from the sheep and wool industry congregated in Bendigo on 15 July, to reflect on the Sheep Sustainability Framework Update.

• More than 50 key stakeholders from across the sheep and wool industry
• Encouraging data shared, including a nine per cent reduction in emissions intensity of wool and meat production from 2005 to 2020
• Committed to working together for a more prosperous industry.

The Australian Sheep and Wool Show was the ideal backdrop for the launch of the first Australian Sheep Sustainability Framework Annual Report.

Held on 15 July in Bendigo, key stakeholders from both the sheep and wool industries met to reflect on the Framework’s findings over a lunch prepared by Meat & Livestock Australia’s Corporate Chef and Food Service Development Manager, Sam Burke.

Sheep Sustainability Steering Group Chair, Dr Scott Williams, who also presented to Show attendees prior to the lunch, said the Show was a fitting venue to launch the important first Annual Report.

“It has been a great opportunity to launch the Annual Report at the Sheep and Wool Show, as it’s one of the premier events for sheep meat and wool production in Australia,” Dr Williams said. 

“We’ve shared the very encouraging data to come out of the report, including a nine per cent reduction in emissions intensity of wool and meat production from 2005 to 2020.”

Dr Williams also facilitated a panel discussion at the launch lunch, that sought insights from a number on eminent industry contributors, including University of Melbourne Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, Richard Eckard, vet and sheep producer, Dr Andrew Whale, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Assistant Secretary Agricultural Trade & Market Access, Laura Timmins, Wool Producers Australia CEO, Jo Hall, and Sheep Producers Australia CEO, Bonnie Skinner.

A united industry

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) CEO, John Roberts, said the one of the key achievements of the Framework was seeing industry committed to working together for a more prosperous sheep sector.

“The significance of the framework is around galvanising industry and telling a great story,” Mr Roberts said.

“We have a consumer base craving the term sustainability, and wondering what it means, and this gives us an opportunity to provide customers globally with the solution to that sustainability question.”

Sheep Producers Australia Director, Ian McColl mirrored Mr Roberts’ comments on the importance of the report.

“It is not very often that you get the level of interaction, support and partnership that we had at the launch, all in one room,” Mr McColl said.

“The impact for this document to bring us all together as an industry has been exceptional, and we need to make the most of it while we can.”

To see a wrap up of the event, click here.