The red meat industry is undertaking a number of major reforms - The Red Meat Memorandum of Understanding review White Paper and the Meat Industry Strategic Plan (MISP 2030).
The White Paper, which is now out for consultation, seeks to streamline the present industry structure and promote a more accountable and cost-effective one.
It aims to achieve this by rationalising the three current research and development corporations (MLA, LiveCorp and AMPC) into one research body for servicing producers, processors and exporters.
The other major proposals of the White Paper include the establishment of a marketing and advocacy organisation called Red Meat Australia which would receive levy funds.
Meanwhile, the MISP is currently being developed and will give industry a road map to deal with opportunities and threats over the next 10 years.
The key pillars outlined in the draft MISP so far include people, environment, animals, market access, customers and systems.
The devil is in the detail for these proposed changes and producers need to avail themselves of the detail.
Of concern to NSW Farmers is the proposal for Red Meat Australia to take a more active role in industry advocacy and the allocation of levy money.
These activities are the responsibility of the representational peak industry councils and state farming organisations, and must not be taken away.
The White Paper recommendations and the yet to be finalised Meat Industry Strategic Plan (MISP 2030), will have a significant impact on the future of the red meat industry, especially how farmers levy monies will be invested.
Given the importance of these reforms, producers need to take the opportunity to be involved in the development of both the MoU and MISP to ensure desirable outcomes are achieved for producers and all 82,000 businesses involved in the red meat industry.
You need to get involved. You need to help shape our industry.