Bryce Camm in the pens at Wonga Plains feedlot

THE Red Meat Advisory Council has announced a new team to drive the implementation of the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF).

Following an expression of interest process earlier this year, Queensland cattle producer Bryce Camm, from Wonga Plains feedlot near Dalby, will chair a seven-member Sustainability Steering Group made up of grassfed and grainfed cattle production, processing, marketing and live export stakeholders.

Mr Camm, pictured above, is chief executive of the Camm Agricultural Group and a director of the Australian Lot Feeders Association. He was a Rabobank Emerging Leader award recipient in 2014.

He is joined on the committee by:

Greg Campbell, retiring CEO of S. Kidman & Co. Mr Campbell started with Kidman as Landcare manager in 1993 before being appointed chief executive in 2001. He has strong interests in production – both landscape and cattle management – included several years on the National Farmers Federation Natural Resources Committee.

Jim Cudmore, former ALFA president and lotfeeder. Mr Cudmore led the initial review of how the Australian beef industry should promote its sustainability credentials which was the precursor to this group being formed. A well-respected industry contributor with experience in extensive and intensive livestock production, he sat on the first SSG who developed the framework.

Tony Hegarty, NSW cattle producer with a focus on natural resource management and almost 30 years’ involvement in the Landcare movement. He sat on the first SSG which developed the framework, and is also vice chair of the Cattle Council of Australia.

Susan McDonald. Hailing from a Cloncurry-based beef producing family, Susan is managing director of Super Butcher, a retail group of six stores and online butchers. She is a registered CPA, and most recently was chief of staff to the minister for natural resources in the Queensland Government.

Kim McDougall. As general manager for livestock at Harvest Road Beef, Kim is responsible for all livestock procurement for WA’s largest export beef processor as well as management of the beef operations as part of the Forrest family’s Minderoo Station properties in the Pilbara region.

Dr Michael Maxwell.  Dr Maxwell has more than 20 years’ experience as a consultant and lawyer, focusing on regulatory issues, international risk management, corporate/culture governance and product liability issues. Practising with Clayton Utz in Perth, he has legal skills complemented by a scientific research background in pharmacology and toxicology. He has a particular focus on the live export industry.

The new SSG has a diverse mix of skills, supply chain experience and an understanding of regional and sector differences Australia-wide to drive sustainability outcomes through the ABSF.

The SSG will drive the Next Steps forward for the ABSF to create an industry positioned for longevity and prosperity.

Determining Australia’s own sustainability framework

Queensland LNP senator and rural and regional affairs and transport senate committee co-chair Barry O’Sullivan said the new sustainability steering group was another important step forward in promoting the Australian beef sector’s unique and enviable sustainability credentials.

“More than three years ago former Senator Ron Boswell and I arranged the Square-table initiative, which saw more than 25 beef industry leaders meet in Brisbane to determine a new direction that did not allow our vital rural industry to become beholden to extreme green interests,” Sen O’Sullivan said.

“It is to former RMAC chair Ross Keane’s credit that the Australian beef sector decided to determine its own sustainability framework, underpinned by the simple fact that Australian beef has the best credentials in this space in the world.”

“This important task has more recently been continued by new RMAC chair Don Mackay and directed by Prue Bondfield and I congratulate them on their work.

“Having been involved in this issue since my earliest days in the Senate, I will be closely following the implementation work of the new Sustainability Steering Group in the coming months.”

Sources: RMAC, Sen O’Sullivan’s office.