Summary

Community sentiment research has shown strong recognition of the contribution of livestock exports to things like nutrition and food security in destination markets, and it is one of the key drivers of both public trust and acceptance of the industry.

However, the industry has relied largely on qualitative data, anecdotal evidence, and storytelling to communicate these benefits, which also include employment for communities around feedlots holding Australian-bred animals, the use of agricultural waste to feed livestock, and the animal welfare benefits from livestock handling and husbandry training.

At the same time, organisations and industry sectors are increasingly being asked for evidence of sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities or intentions.

This project aimed to quantify the international contributions of the Australian livestock export industry in relation to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other sustainability frameworks.

This project was managed by the Livestock Export RD&E Program, a collaboration between LiveCorp and Meat & Livestock Australia.

Objectives

• Identify quantitative and qualitative data available to detail the international impact and benefits of the Australian livestock export industry towards domestic and international sustainability and development goals and frameworks.

• Provide a detailed report and visual communication tools to help the industry demonstrate and communicate the positive contributions of the livestock export trade to international development.

Benefits to industry

Being able to quantify the livestock export trade’s socio-economic and environmental benefits will provide statistics and other data to accompany and support anecdotal evidence and storytelling.