Patrick Hutchinson appointed Chair of Australian Beef Sustainability Framework Steering Group

The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF) has welcomed Patrick Hutchinson as the new Chair of its Steering Group.

The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework sets out the key indicators of sustainability performance for the beef industry. It provides evidence-based metrics to allow producers to track their performance on animal care, environmental stewardship, economic resilience, and people and the community.

With more than 25 years of experience in the Australian red meat and livestock industry, Mr Hutchinson’s career has spanned advocacy, industry leadership, global trade and policy environments. Mr Hutchinson now leads his own agribusiness advisory. He brings a broad, supply chain-wide perspective to the role to ensure sustainability remains a priority for the entire industry.

Formerly Mr Hutchinson was the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) where he led the industry through significant challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting international trade dynamics, particularly with China.

Mr Hutchinson believes that ABSF use can empower the Australian beef industry to demonstrate its value to customers, investors, retailers and stakeholders.

“The ABSF benchmarks the Australian beef producers and tracks performance against 24 priority issues and 53 sustainability indicators. It assures customers that producers care as much about sustainability as they do," Mr Hutchinson said.

“My priority will be to engage with all parts of the supply chain to drive meaningful sustainability outcomes. Collaboration is key, and I will work to ensure the ABSF continues to reflect the needs and ambitions of the entire beef industry.

“Completing a new materiality assessment is an immediate priority as it will help frame the direction of the ABSF and its ongoing focus over the next four years.

The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework is owned, developed, and led by industry through its peak industry bodies of Cattle Australia, Australian Lot Feeders’ Association, and the Australian Meat Industry Council. Mr Hutchinson becomes the independent chair of the Steering Group.

The vision of the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework is a thriving Australian beef industry that strives to continuously improve the wellbeing of people, animals and the environment.

“It’s vital that we proactively share the work and outcomes of the ABSF to create consumer and farmer pride in our wonderful industry. I want to achieve this by engaging right along our value chain, starting with our producers,” said Mr Hutchinson.

The ABSF is overseen by an Advisory Board and led by the independent Steering Group. Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) provide resources, including the Secretariat.