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New leader for sheep sustainability framework

Sheep Central, March 15, 2022

New Sheep Sustainability Framework chair Scott Williams.

AUSTRALIA’S Sheep Sustainability Framework has appointed its third chair, with veterinary scientist Scott Williams taking over from Queensland producer Verity Morgan-Schmidt.

A media release today said Ms Morgan-Schmidt “has chosen to step away from the role due to growing professional and personal demands”, less than four months after taking up the position in November last year.

Three new industry representatives have also joined the SSF board – WoolProducers director and New South Wales producer Helen Carrigan, Sheep Producers Australia chief executive officer Bonnie Skinner and SPA director and Rabobank rural manager Ben Thomas.

Four new members have also been appointed to the Sheep Sustainability Framework Steering Group. They are Australian Lamb Company finance manager, Belinda Dexter; MH Premium CEO, Ed Dunn; Rabobank’s head of sustainable business development, Lachlan Monsbourgh and; the Woolworths group’s sustainable animal welfare manager Anna Playfair-Hannay.

They will join three foundation steering group members who will complete the remainder of their two-year term over the next 12 months: AgCommunicators managing director Deanna Lush, NSW sheep producer Ian McColl and NSW wool grower Michael Field.

Dr Williams said he is looking forward to building on the important foundational work already completed, to bring an excellent sustainability framework into effect.

“The Sheep Sustainability Framework is a vital initiative for the sheep industry and I sincerely thank Verity, as well as her predecessor Professor Bruce Allworth, for their leadership and the activity they have overseen to help establish and evolve this world-first initiative.

“Australian sheep meat and wool have become premium products and our customers and consumers are willing to pay a good price but, in return, they expect all of our ‘ducks lined up’ when it comes to quality and integrity,” Dr Williams said.

“We can’t describe our performance in sustainability without agreeing to what sustainability is and how it is measured, and the SSF gives us a common understanding of the territory and language by which to communicate our credentials.

“I’ve had a strong interest in sustainability for a long time, and the opportunity to be part of delivering the Sheep Sustainability Framework was too good to pass up.”

Dr Williams has more than 30 years’ experience in animal health, biosecurity, animal welfare, facilitation, strategic planning, corporate governance and the broader agriculture sector.

“This is an outstanding group of leaders from across the supply chain to guide the maturation of the SSF, and I am looking forward to working closely with them to contribute to a truly sustainable and prosperous sheep and wool industry,” he said.

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Comments

  1. Dr Jim Rothwell, March 16, 2022

    Congratulations Scott, you are an excellent choice for the role and a genuine veteran in the space.

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