SOUTH Australian producers, processors and exporters of red meat and livestock will have their opportunity to directly help shape the industry’s overarching strategic direction under the fourth Meat Industry Strategic Plan.

The workshop, which will conclude a total of twelve events run around Australia during September and October, will be co-hosted by Livestock SA on Monday 3 November, commencing at 10am.

The development of MISP4, including the regional workshop schedule, is being co-ordinated by the Red Meat Advisory Council.  Over the course of the consultation schedule to date, more than 300 producers, processors and exporters have provided their feedback on, and specific regional priorities for, the development of MISP4.

RMAC chairman Ross Keane said he was pleased with the level of engagement from industry stakeholders during the regional consultation schedule.

“It was our intention to ensure, for the first time in the history of the Meat Industry Strategic Plan, that those with the most to gain in the industry’s future… have a direct line of input to shaping that future,” Mr Keane said.  “In the main, we’ve had a very constructive and enthusiastic response.”

In reflecting on the areas identified in the regional discussions, Mr Keane said it has been the commonality of two or three core topics that is most striking.

“We certainly set out to capture some specific issues for each region, and we’ve seen that come through.  However, the strongest sentiments have centred on those key drivers of viability and resilience,” Mr Keane said.

“The core elements of productivity and competitiveness – throughout the supply chain – have come up, in some form, across all the workshops to-date.  Perhaps just as importantly is the very clear message that these are essential foundations to any broader sustainability agenda.”

“This is something we’ll need to mesh together carefully as RMAC, our members and the industry service companies consider how best to merge the Government’s agricultural competitiveness agenda with what are both challenges and opportunities in how we frame the industry’s sustainability in the future,” Mr Keane said.

RMAC has already started planning for the next stage of the development of MISP4, which focuses on identifying where the biggest likely returns are for the industry in terms of where it deploys its R&D, extension, marketing and policy focus.

Livestock SA executive officer, Deane Crabb, emphasised the importance of participation in the regional workshops underpinning MISP4.

“As the regional workshops come to an end, I encourage South Australian industry stakeholders to take up what is a great opportunity to get involved, and help chart a course for the red meat and livestock industry’s future success,” Mr Crabb said.

• The SA consultation workshop will be held at the Carlton Club Function Centre, 145 Balhannah Rd, Hahndorf, starting at 10am (SA time).  Click here to register or RSVP directly to Deane Crabb (08 8297 2299 email dcrabb@livestocksa.org.au by 31 October.