Help inform the future of the Australian beef industry
11 December 2024
Beef producers and industry stakeholders will have the opportunity to guide the focus of the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF) as it undertakes its latest materiality assessment.
A materiality assessment reviews what is most important to the industry’s sustainability at the current moment, and how resources should be directed there within the ABSF.
Producers and other stakeholders will be able to have their say through the 2024 ABSF Materiality Assessment Survey.
Lead Consultant Robyn Leeson from STR Consulting said the materiality assessment is a crucial aspect of ensuring the ABSF isn’t static.
“This is a way of refreshing the framework as things change, whether it’s year to year, or over the course of 5–10 years,” Robyn said.
“In the beef sector, we’ll identify what has had the biggest impacts on the physical environment or on people, but also how those impacts then affect the sector itself through reputation or risk.”
Survey participants will be asked to share their views on the impacts, positive or negative, they believe the Australian beef industry has on people, animals, the environment, and the economy.
With the last materiality assessment completed in 2020, its expected there will be some issues which have become more significant, with deforestation likely being top of mind for the beef industry.
“A discussion around deforestation and land clearing is expected to increase this year,” Robyn said.
“When we did the last materiality assessment, that issue was bubbling along with specific stakeholders, but over the course of a few years, there is more regulation and interest from domestic retailers and financial institutions.”
While the assessment will source demands and trends from the industry through various avenues, the survey is the most effective way of hearing directly from those on the ground.
“It’s really important to get industry views and we’re really keen to hear from different perspectives from along the value chain,” Robyn said.
“There will be differences between regions and it’s important to capture that too. Producers bring insights from the coalface and help build an understanding of the risks, opportunities and impacts.”
The survey will close on 3 January 2025.
