About the Framework

Customers and consumers want to feel confident the food and fibre they purchase has been responsibly produced.

The Sheep Sustainability Framework  helps industry better understand its opportunities, challenges and impacts in key areas such as animal care, the environment, economic resilience, and people and community.

It presents evidence to our stakeholders, through presentation of data and trends, that Australian sheep meat and wool has been produced responsibly, to build trust and confidence in the industry.

Demonstrating sustainability performance is also increasingly important to ensuring Australia can supply its premium quality sheep meat and wool to local and international markets.

The Sheep Sustainability Framework  helps industry to demonstrate its commitment to continual improvement.

Evaluation of Framework progress and relevance occurs every 12 months, while contemporary and emerging trends in sustainability, such as advancements in best practice, scientific findings, changes in measurement and reporting, evolution of customer needs and consumer expectations, are consistently monitored.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SHEEP SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK?

Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) and WoolProducers Australia (WPA) lead the Sheep Sustainability Framework , with Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) providing funding, strategic advice and secretariat support. SPA and WPA appointed an independent Sustainability Steering Group (SSG), made up of representatives from across the value chain with diverse areas of skills and expertise, to lead the process.

HOW IS THE SHEEP SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK USED?

The Sheep Sustainability Framework  monitors and measures industry performance against priorities aligned with the four themes. It informs planning, management, and evaluation of activities at an industry level and helps to ensure Australia can demonstrate we are a global leader in sustainable sheep production.

A demonstrated focus on aligning animal care, environmental, economic, and social themes with best practice and community expectations also underlies continued access to markets and capital for Australian sheep businesses.

WHAT IS OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE SHEEP SUSTAINABILITY FRAMEWORK?

The Sheep Sustainability Framework  does not set industry policies, goals or targets; directly drive extension or adoption; audit or certify individual businesses; or impose costs or reporting requirements on individual businesses.

WHAT IS THE BOUNDARY OF THE FRAMEWORK?

The boundary indicates where along the value chain the Sheep Sustainability Framework  will focus. It defines what will and will not be measured or reported. In this initial stage of its life, The Sheep Sustainability Framework  covers on-farm (including feedlots), transport (including live sheep exports), saleyards and Australian processors. This is where data is available to measure, monitor and report performance and progress.

It is intended the boundary of the Sheep Sustainability Framework  will extend to cover the overseas wool processing sector within the next five years.

It should be noted that as this is an Australian framework, it will initially report on Australian practices.