Meat and Livestock Australia: Board re-elected at AGM
Meat and Livestock Australia hosted its annual general meeting last week. Here are all election results, plus a key message from the managing director.
PRESENTING a united front and capitalising on China’s African Swine Fever outbreak was the key message from last week’s Meat and Livestock Australia annual general meeting.
Three directors were re-elected to the MLA board, with producers voting during the online meeting.
Alan Becket was returned as MLA chair, while cattle producer Russell Lethbridge and sheepmeat and wool producer Andrew Michael were also returned to the board.
A number of producers were also elected as MLA representatives.
Daniel Radel was elected cattle producer representative, Tony Fitzgerald lot feeder cattle representative, and Mark Wootton elected sheep producer representative.
Mr Beckett said despite disruption to the industry in the past year, the Australian red meat sector “fared well” through the coronavirus pandemic.
“Most importantly, we saw the demand for red meat remain strong – both domestically and globally – despite the changes to consumption patterns,” Mr Beckett said.
“A key focus for MLA this year has been to ensure we are able to respond and adapt to the significant challenges of 2020 and our new operating environment – while continuing to deliver on our strategic objectives across our marketing, research and development investments on behalf of our industry.”
MLA managing director Jason Strong said the organisation saw the ongoing African Swine Fever outbreak – mainly in China – as a window of opportunity for Australia’s red meat industry in the coming year.
“ … for me, our greatest challenge – is how our whole industry can be united in seizing the opportunity this unprecedented global demand for protein provides. However, it is only by working together that we will reach our true potential,” Mr Strong said.
“With a forecast global protein shortage driven by African Swine Fever and demand set to grow at unparalleled levels as consumers become increasingly affluent, we are looking at a three to five-year window of prosperity.”
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