Sheepmeat leaders unite: From left, Beef+Lamb NZ director, Andrew Fox; Juan de Dios Arteaga from the National Mexican Sheep Producers Organisation, and; Sheepmeat Council of Australia vice-president  Jeff Murray

Australian, New Zealand and Mexican sheep producers have united around a common goal to promote lamb and mutton to the world.

The Sheepmeat Council of Australia and MLA, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and Organismo de la Unidad Nacional de Ovinocultores (the National Mexican Sheep Producers Organisation) today annpounced they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sheepmeat cooperation.

The MoU recognises that the sheepmeat industries of Australia, New Zealand and Mexico share the goal of building sheepmeat demand globally, a statement said.

The countries also have a number of other common objectives, including animal health and welfare, food safety, environmental sustainability, and industry profitability.

Sheepmeat Council of Australia vice president Jeff Murray said the agreement will benefit producers in all three countries.

“By working with the Mexican industry, Australia and New Zealand can help grow their domestic production and increase the consumption of sheepmeat. It’s a win-win for all parties.

“All three countries see great opportunities in the sheepmeat industry,” he said.

Beef+Lamb NZ Director Andrew Fox said there are considerable advantages to be gained by working together to further these objectives.

“The Australian and New Zealand sheepmeat industries are seeking to build relationships with producer organisations from around the world.

“The reality is sheepmeat faces strong competition in the marketplace from other protein sources,” he said.

“It is important the sheepmeat industry works together to promote our premium product.”

Juan de Dios Arteaga from the National Mexican Sheep Producers Organisation said working with New Zealand and Australia “on matters that are not strictly commercial” will help Mexico to keep its process of increasing productivity and increase demand of lamb, which will benefit the three countries.

The agreement outlines a number of areas where cooperative actions have the potential to bring mutual benefits, including:

•             Research and development, especially sharing the results of the Organisations’ respective research and development work in relation to animal production.

•             Information-sharing on the Organisations’ respective approaches to industry systems, including food safety and animal traceability.

•             Marketing and promotion, and especially sharing relevant experiences of building demand for meat products among domestic and international consumers.

•             Information-sharing on global sheepmeat market developments.

Australia, Mexico and New Zealand intend to work together to further these shared objectives wherever practicable, the statement said.

Source: Sheepmeat Council of Australia