Knowledge and experience for Thailand beef sector

In addition, a real-world perspective on sustainability activities in Australia from Jenny O’Sullivan, a cattle and sheep farmer from Victoria, was also shared by the highlight of her experiences in producing healthy, nutritious food while simultaneously improving the environment and creating livelihoods. Jenny’s family has been involved in extensive environmental and carbon projects on their farm over the past 30 years, making her a valuable member of the ABSF Sustainability Steering Group.

Spencer Whitaker, Market Development Manager for the Asia-Pacific region, MLA, presented an overview of Australian beef consumption in Thailand. “As Australia’s 8th largest beef export market by volume, Thailand has witnessed rapid demand growth for quality red meat in recent years, despite pandemic-related disruptions. Import demand has been increasing since 2017, driven by a growing population of young, affluent consumers, plus a large and well-established tourism service sector. Historically, Australia has been Thailand’s largest beef and sheepmeat import supplier, with around a third of the total value being chilled products. The complete removal of tariffs and quotas since January 2020 under both the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) and the ASEAN-Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) has strengthened red meat trade and will support growth into the future.”

Dr. Angela Macdonald, Australia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, emphasised the significance of sustainable agriculture for both nations and highlighted the potential for further collaboration. Dr Macdonald said agriculture was a significant sector for both countries, including for its contribution to jobs and exports. There are similarities including tropical and sub-tropical climates,  that made Australia and Thailand natural partners in tackling sustainability in agriculture. “Sustainable agriculture is not a one-size-fits-all solution and I encourage industry groups to continue contributing to finding sustainable practices,” stressed Macdonald.

Amber Parr, Agriculture Counsellor, highlighted Australia’s unique approach to agricultural sustainability. She said farmers were at the forefront of making agriculture more sustainable, and consumers would also make decisions that would drive long-term sustainability. Australia’s approach to sustainability involves a partnership between government and industry through 15 industry-specific Rural Research and Development Corporations. Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) is a significant partner in research, education, and capacity building, and I am pleased experts from MLA could be here today to share their knowledge with Thai counterparts. At the international level, Australia recognises the importance of tailored approaches to sustainable agriculture and looks forward to further collaboration with Thailand and other Southeast Asian partners both bilaterally and in international fora.