Australia

Australia to implement new definition for lamb by 2019

Lamb

Sheep Producers Australia recently announced that as of mid-2019 Australia's lamb definition will change to "young sheep under 12 months of age or which do not have any permanent incisor teeth in wear," the same as in the New Zealand Lamb and Mutton Carcass Classification.

Posted on Mar 23 ,12:02

Australia to implement new definition for lamb by 2019

 

Allan Piggott, SPA president, said in a statement that producers will not have their lamb assessed according to the new definition in the next period.

"Our advice at the moment is that this will probably take about 12 months, so we would be hopeful to have everything in place for the spring of 2019," added Mr. Piggott.

The decision was based on the majority of feedback provided during a nine-week public consultation phase in which 83% of respondents to an industry survey supported the change.

“The new definition will even the playing field against New Zealand in our export markets and provide producers with an indicator before they incur the ‘price cliff face’ of lamb being downgraded to hogget or mutton. The current definition means that as soon as eruption is evident, the animal becomes classed as mutton, and results in a lower price," Mr. Piggott said. “Market access risk from adopting the New Zealand lamb definition was proven to be minimal. The interim report’s findings have been further verified by MLA’s International Business Managers, various Australian exporters and international importers."

The lamb definition review is part of the broader ‘Fit for Purpose Language Program’ being undertaken by SPA. The program aims to enable the introduction of meat and livestock specification language that strengthens the connection between consumer price signals and on-farm decision-making. Enhanced alignment will assist in producers being paid for the product attributes that consumers value most at the dinner table.

 NEWSLETTER - Stay informed with the latest news!

Comments





Similar articles

INTERNATIONAL

Weber: Comprehensive solutions for greater efficiency and flexibility in food processing

As a system provider with a holistic approach, Weber has always stood for practical, efficient an...


Read more Read more
USA

The United States and Indonesia reach historic trade deal

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom released this statement: USME...


Read more Read more
SLOVENIA

Slovenia reports outbreak of bluetongue disease on sheep farm

Bluetongue can be deadly for domestic ruminants such as sheep, cattle and goats. It does not affe...


Read more Read more
Websolutions by Angular Software and SpiderClass