The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) today welcomed the release of the Australian Labor Party’s (ALP), Red Meat Strategy Discussion Paper.
AMPC CEO Peter Rizzo said it was encouraging to see the discussion paper acknowledges key elements of AMPC’s recently launched Cost to Operate Report which highlighted the costs for red meat processors to operate in Australia compared with its major international competitors such USA, Brazil and Argentina.
“We are the leader in R&D for the meat processing industry and our research has clearly shown that processors are operating in a highly competitive international environment and the cost of doing business each day was becoming a major challenge,” Mr Rizzo said.
“The red meat processing sector contributes more than $21 billion to Australia’s GDP a year (including flow on effects) and is responsible for creating more than 124,000 jobs predominately in regional Australia.
“Like other manufacturing industries we face challenges around our workforce including skills, attraction and retention as well as other factors such as the price of energy and increasing government regulation.
Mr Rizzo noted that the discussion paper has given industry the opportunity to identify ways that industry and government can work together to build a stronger processing sector that supports local communities and boosts the national economy.
“By acknowledging the barriers to success, government, industry and other stakeholders can work together to develop tangible solutions that make a difference to not only processor but the entire red meat sector.
“We also acknowledge the discussion paper’s inclusion of a review of the research and development bodies in the red meat sector.
“The consultation process around the review will enable us to provide further evidence of the benefit AMPC is providing to our industry,” Mr Rizzo said.
Mr Rizzo congratulated Shadow Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon and Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research the Hon Kim Carr for acknowledging the sector through its discussion paper and recognising the importance of R&D in its strategy.
“AMPC looks forward to contributing further through consultation to use robust research and solid evidence to deliver certainty for the red meat industry,” he said.
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If you would like any further information, please contact Elise Mizzi at e.mizzi@ampc.com.au