Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) in partnership with industry peak bodies, has secured a grant from the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations to deliver a major new initiative designed to deepen engagement between Australian and Chinese cattle and red meat industry stakeholders.
The funding will support two major exchanges: an inbound delegation of emerging and established Chinese red meat industry leaders to Australia, followed by an outbound visit by Australian peak industry bodies to China.
Activities will culminate in the inaugural Australia China Livestock and Red Meat Industry Cooperation Forum, which will lay the groundwork for a potential industry-to-industry Memorandum of Understanding on issues of mutual benefit.
The project is supported by the National Foundation for Australia China Relations and aligns with the Foundation’s mission to strengthen engagement between Australia and China in support of Australia’s national interests.
MLA Managing Director Michael Crowley said the grant represented a significant opportunity to build on the long standing and successful trade relationship between Australia and China, and to further strengthen cooperation across the red meat and livestock sectors.
“China remains one of Australia’s most important markets for red meat, and this grant enables MLA and our industry partners to strengthen the relationships and technical dialogue that underpin long-term market access and commercial opportunity,” Mr Crowley said.
“This support from the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations is vital in helping MLA build capability, deepen cooperation and foster a more resilient, trusted and collaborative cattle and red meat industry relationship.”
CEO of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, Gary Cowan, welcomed the project’s contribution to strengthening bilateral industry engagement.
“Greater cooperation in the red meat industry will help strengthen the foundations of an important trade market and forge lasting connections. The Foundation is pleased to support high quality programs that bring together emerging and established leaders from Australia and China, which will help build more confident engagement with China and advance Australia’s economic resilience,” Mr Cowan said.
“The initiative will bring together peak bodies, researchers, producers and government linked technical agencies across both countries, creating structured industry dialogue on areas such as biosecurity, meat standards, genetics, feed systems and supply chain optimisation.”
The National Foundation for Australia-China Relations is an Australian Government initiative that promotes and coordinates enhanced cooperation between Australia and China in support of Australia’s national interests.
