The beef industry is improving its care of natural resources, animals and people, according to the second Australian Beef Sustainability Annual Update.
Set to be released in full early next month, the industry body report says new data shows the beef industry reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 57.6 per cent between 2005 and 2016, increased use of pain relief on cattle and began development of an implementation plan for the industry to be carbon neutral by 2030.
NSW lot feeder and farmer Tess Herbert chairs the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework and said the team had worked in the past year to refine the way things are measured and to collect more data.
‘‘The beef industry in under increasing scrutiny,’’ Ms Herbert said.
‘‘Demands from outside our industry to prove our care for the environment, animals and people have grown in the past year.
‘‘This framework is a way to be on the front foot, address concerns and tell our story. I think this year’s report is a great example of this.
‘‘This gives the industry a great baseline from which we can show our improvement to build community trust, and protect and grow access to markets and capital.
‘‘We can turn steps into strides on sustainability.’’
■The full report will be available on Thursday, June 6 at: www.sustainableaustralianbeef.com.au
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