WA Sheep Industry Leadership Council members Kelly Manton-Pearce, Richard Coole, Jessica Horstman, Rob Egerton-Warburton, Cameron Tubby, Michael O’Neill, John Edwards and Andrew Ritchie (Absent: Bindi Murray) have welcomed the council’s incorporation.

RECENT organisational developments in the Western Australian sheep sector will pave the way for future advancements in the meat and wool industries, according to producer leader Rob Edgerton-Warburton.

WA’s Sheep Industry Leadership Council (SILC) has become incorporated, while a Stakeholder Reference Group has been appointed for the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Sheep Industry Business Innovation project, made possible by Royalties for Regions.

The Stakeholder Reference Group will draw on its members’ expertise and linkages to provide valuable input on the project to capitalise on growing markets for sheep products.

It is comprised of Great Southern Development Commission chairman Peter Rundle, sheepmeat consultant Peter Trefort, V&V Walsh plant manager Peter Cody and the nine members of the SILC.

SILC chairman Rob Egerton-Warburton said the new, complementary measures would support the industry to realise its Strategic Plan 2025+. SILC’s incorporation would provide greater flexibility and accountability to better deliver on the plan, he said.

“The council is committed to working with the partners and projects, like the Sheep Industry Business Innovation project to double the value of the sector by 2025,” he said.

“It is important for the industry to be united throughout the supply chain to improve our international competitiveness and focus on capitalising on the growing demand for sheep products.”

The department will continue to support SILC over the next three years, while the Council develops a new sustainable funding model.

The department’s Sheep Industry Business Innovation project aims to support the WA sheep industry to be internationally competitive and grow in value to capture new market opportunities.

Sheep industry development director Bruce Mullan said the department was committed to working in partnership with industry and funding partners to create a strong and sustainable future for the WA sheep sector.

Dr Mullan said the Sheep Industry Business Innovation project would evaluate new business models that would enable the sector to build capacity to maintain and capture new market opportunities.

“The department is collaborating with research and development funders, providers and beneficiaries to explore new options to accelerate and better integrate productivity gains,” he said.

“It is important that a whole of supply chain approach is embraced, supported by integrated links, strong information flow and adaptability, to become a preferred supplier of premium quality products by our overseas markets.”

Sheep Industry Leadership Council members are: Rob Egerton-Warburton (chairman) – producer, Kojonup; Cameron Tubby – producer, Morowa; Kelly Manton-Pearce – producer, Yealering; Richard Coole – producer, Kojonup; Michael O’Neill – producer, Northam; Jessica Horstman – producer, Northampton; Bindi Murray – producer, Woodanilling; John Edwards – exporter, Fremantle, and; Andrew Ritchie – consultant, Darkan.

Source: WA Deparment of Food and Agriculture.