New Australian Sheep Sustainability Framework chair Verity Morgan-Schmidt and Border Collie Abbie.

AUSTRALIA’S world-first sheep sustainability framework is set to be strengthened and its global profile elevated under new chair Queensland producer Verity Morgan-Schmidt.

“As incoming chair, my priority will be in ensuring the rubber well and truly hits the road by strengthening reporting, increasing stakeholder engagement across the supply chain and elevating the Sheep Sustainability Framework as a globally recognised example of Australian industry leadership,” Ms Morgan-Schmidt said today.

Ms Morgan-Schmidt was appointed as the new framework steering group chair to replace inaugural chair Professor Bruce Allworth, following an open request for expressions of interest. She will take up the role for a two-year term.

Ms Morgan-Schmidt is originally from a wool and cropping enterprise in Western Australia. She has also been the inaugural chief executive officer of the award-winning and fast-growing advocacy group, Farmers for Climate Action, and an executive officer (Livestock) with WAFarmers. At one time she held the title of Australia’s youngest wool auctioneer and has led weekly sales for Elders in WA. She has a Master of Arts (Politics) in Sustainability from Murdoch University and currently farms Droughtmaster cattle with her husband and four children in Mary Valley in Queensland.

Ms Morgan-Schmidt said she was incredibly proud to be leading the Australian Sheep Sustainability Steering Group during a challenging yet exciting time for sheep meat and wool production in Australia.

“As global markets increasingly demand transparency and demonstrable sustainability credentials, the Australian sheep industry has an extraordinary story to share.

“By balancing environment, animal welfare, our people and long-term financial sustainability, the sheep sustainability framework shines a light on the crucial work of producers and supply chains, and positions industry to be globally renowned for sustainably producing the world’s best sheep meat and wool, both now and into the future,” she said.

“The Australian sheep industry has long demonstrated a commitment to meeting and exceeding consumer expectations and the sheep sustainability framework provides an important vehicle to demonstrate this work.

“I congratulate and thank the outgoing Chair, Professor Bruce Allworth, the founding Steering Group members and Meat and Livestock Australia and Australian Wool Innovation for their extraordinary work and support in the development stages of this long overdue initiative,” she said.

The Australian Sheep Sustainability Framework is a world first and designed specifically for and by the Australian sheep industry and its supply chain. The industry-led framework identifies sustainability priorities, demonstrates best practice and uses evidence to track industry progress against key indicators.

The framework is the product of extensive and targeted industry engagement and consultation by the industry appointed Sheep Sustainability Framework Steering Group. The framework outlines industry’s commitment to sustainability through four key themes of ‘caring for our sheep’, ‘enhancing the environment and climate’, ‘caring for our people’, ‘customers and communities’, and ‘ensuring a financially eesilient Industry’.

For more information, visit the Sheep Sustainability Framework website.