US and Australian Cattle Associations Strengthen Ties with New Partnership Agreement
Source: The DairyNews
On May 9th, during the Beef 2024 convention in Rockhampton, Australia, leaders from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Cattle Australia (CA) solidified their commitment through a joint statement that addresses key issues such as cattle health, the oversight of lab-grown proteins, and sustainability practices.
NCBA President Mark Eisele emphasized the shared vision between American and Australian cattle producers. "We are united in our efforts to combat foreign animal diseases, advance sustainability, and regulate lab-grown proteins accurately," stated Eisele, a rancher from Wyoming. He highlighted the extensive contributions of cattle producers in both nations, ranging from delivering high-quality beef to employing conservation techniques that preserve critical wildlife habitats.
Garry Edwards, Chair of Cattle Australia, remarked on the importance of a collaborative approach with government bodies to tackle challenges facing the industry. "Our joint priorities include fortifying defenses against diseases like foot-and-mouth disease, promoting sustainable trade practices that enhance production efficiency, and advocating for science-based regulations concerning novel food technologies such as lab-grown proteins," said Edwards.
The partnership agreement includes a strategic focus on vaccine banks as a preventive measure against foot-and-mouth disease, which, while not harmful to humans, poses severe economic risks to livestock producers. The statement also addresses the regulatory challenges of lab-grown proteins, emphasizing the necessity for stringent health and safety assessments and transparent labeling to inform consumer choice.
The collaboration aims to bolster ongoing dialogues with both the Australian and US governments to secure policies that not only protect cattle health but also underscore the sustainability of the cattle industry and ensure meticulous oversight of emerging food technologies.
Following the agreement, NCBA and CA are set to continue their advocacy efforts to support the cattle industry's role in environmental stewardship and public health safety, reinforcing the benefits of traditional cattle farming and the responsible introduction of lab-grown proteins in the market.
Garry Edwards, Chair of Cattle Australia, remarked on the importance of a collaborative approach with government bodies to tackle challenges facing the industry. "Our joint priorities include fortifying defenses against diseases like foot-and-mouth disease, promoting sustainable trade practices that enhance production efficiency, and advocating for science-based regulations concerning novel food technologies such as lab-grown proteins," said Edwards.
The partnership agreement includes a strategic focus on vaccine banks as a preventive measure against foot-and-mouth disease, which, while not harmful to humans, poses severe economic risks to livestock producers. The statement also addresses the regulatory challenges of lab-grown proteins, emphasizing the necessity for stringent health and safety assessments and transparent labeling to inform consumer choice.
The collaboration aims to bolster ongoing dialogues with both the Australian and US governments to secure policies that not only protect cattle health but also underscore the sustainability of the cattle industry and ensure meticulous oversight of emerging food technologies.
Following the agreement, NCBA and CA are set to continue their advocacy efforts to support the cattle industry's role in environmental stewardship and public health safety, reinforcing the benefits of traditional cattle farming and the responsible introduction of lab-grown proteins in the market.
