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Message from the Australian Chicken Meat Federation Chief Executive Officer, Mary Wu

The industry is proud to deliver the inaugural Australian Chicken Meat Industry Sustainability Framework, the first chicken meat sector framework in the world to include clear measurable sustainability metrics and targets. The Framework is an initiative delivered by AgriFutures Australia and the Australian Chicken Meat Federation as a component of the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program.

This is a pivotal framework that showcases how far the industry has come in its journey to become one of Australia’s most environmentally sustainable, most cost-effective and most consumed land-based animal proteins. It also demonstrates how the sector will support Australian agriculture’s transition to a lower-carbon future and continue to strongly support Australia’s food security and economic resilience.

The role of the Framework is to articulate the significant sustainability achievements and investments of the industry over past decades, and how they have positively set the sector’s sustainability trajectory and positioning, as well as monitor, measure and report industry performance against sustainability priorities going forward.

The Framework will also assist the industry to better understand opportunities, challenges, impacts and areas for improvement. Importantly, it is underpinned by metrics and targets that will enable demonstration of sustainability credentials.

While the Framework captures and reflects the positioning of the industry and the diversity of participants within the supply chain, it provides guidance for companies to set their own goals and targets that are appropriate to their businesses and sustainability ambitions — this is very exciting as over time, we are likely to see companies set stretch targets that promote industry growth and innovation in the sustainability space.

The Framework was developed by AgriFutures Australia and the Australian Chicken Meat Federation in consultation with key stakeholders, including the principal participants in the chicken meat supply chain; service providers; certification bodies; and customers. I thank those involved in its creation, including the expert working group members who provided guidance on how best to measure our sustainability performance. I also thank all stakeholders for their contributions and perspectives. Their role has been fundamental to the
Framework’s development and their continued involvement will be essential to the industry’s ongoing success.

This will be a living document, subject to review and refinement. We are committed to continual improvement and engagement with our stakeholders to ensure the industry remains strong and important, both for its participants and the Australian public.

Message from the AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, John Harvey

I am delighted to share with you the Australian Chicken Meat Industry Sustainability Framework, which showcases the industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability, food security and economic resilience. The Framework is the result of a collaborative effort between the Australian Chicken Meat Federation (ACMF), AgriFutures Australia and levy payers who participated in the ACMF Sustainability Steering Group.

The depth and breadth of the Framework reflects a strong commitment to industry-led research and innovation. We’re proud to have contributed to this united effort, involving all segments of the industry, which sets a clear pathway for future performance monitoring, measurement and reporting against sustainability priorities.

It is increasingly imperative for individual industries, and the agriculture sector more broadly, to lead and communicate achievements and aspirations, while also committing to measurable targets and metrics to address environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Sustainability frameworks for agricultural industries have proven to be highly valuable tools in responding to producer, processor and consumer expectations, confirming an industry’s commitments. I believe this Framework will also prove its value.

I congratulate the industry for its leadership, for proactively demonstrating the ongoing sustainability credentials of the industry, and for committing to becoming one of Australia’s most environmentally sustainable, cost-effective and consumed proteins. I thank all contributors and encourage ongoing active stakeholder engagement across the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

AgriFutures Australia looks forward to continuing our partnership with the industry to help it realise its sustainability goals and grow its long-term prosperity.