New team of beef leaders to drive our sustainable future

The Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) is excited to announce five new members of the Sustainability Steering Group (SSG) to drive implementation of the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework.

Independent Chair of RMAC, Don Mackay, said the new members of the expanded SSG brought a range of skills and experience to the SGG, and represented different sectors and geographic regions of the beef industry.

The new members join newly appointed SSG Chair, Tess Herbert.

Mr Mackay said the EOI process was extremely competitive with over 40 applications received. He said the high number and calibre of the applicants demonstrated increasing industry awareness and support for the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework.

“The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework shows customers, consumers, governments and investors that we’re committed to continuously improve how we care for animals, natural resources and the people who work in the industry and who consume our beef,” Mr Mackay said.

“The new SSG members, who have all shown exceptional leadership in the industry, will help to build on the achievements of previous members to develop the Framework and start its implementation.”

He said the new members had knowledge of the Framework themes of animal welfare, economic resilience, environmental stewardship, and people and the community.

The incoming SSG members are:

• Carl Duncan: Group Manager Resource Efficiency at Teys Australia
• Melinee Leather: Central Queensland beef producer and previous Chair of the Cattle Council of Australia Animal Health & Welfare & Biosecurity Committee
• Stephen Moore: General Manager Corporate and Commercial at North Australian Pastoral Company
• Trevor Moore: Group Systems and Compliance Manager at the Northern Co-operative Meat Company
• Jenny O’Sullivan: Victorian beef producer, agritourism operator and Chair of the South East Victoria and Tasmania Regional Committee of the Southern Australia Meat Research Council (SAMRC)

The new SSG are responsible for progressing the Framework, including addressing data gaps; refining some sustainability indicators; delivering the next Framework Annual Update in May 2019; communications related to the Framework and continuing to provide advice to RMAC on sustainability matters.

Mr Mackay thanked former SSG Chair Bryce Camm and outgoing SSG members Jim Cudmore and Tony Hegarty for their commitment to progressing the Framework. The new members join existing SSG members: Greg Campbell, Susan McDonald, Kim McDougall and Dr Michael Maxwell.

Media contact: Laura Griffin, Currie Communications, 0400 170 663 or laura@curriecommunications.com.au