AMPC joins tour of China's red meat industry to help strengthen ties
AMPC's chief executive officer Edwina Toohey and general manager research and development Cameron Ralph were part of a recent tour of China's livestock and red meat processing industry.
Both spoke at a conference at the culmination of the tour, attended by 150 delegates from China's red meat industry.Their presentations outlined the innovation in Australia's red meat processing sector, how research and development is funded here and where learnings can be shared between the two countries.
Designed to advance cooperation between China and Australia's red meat industries, the tour followed a visit from a delegation of Chinese red meat industry leaders to Australia in August.
The events formed part of a major Australia-China industry engagement initiative funded by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and delivered by Meat & Livestock Australia in partnership with other red meat peak industry bodies.
Ms Toohey said the tour was extremely insightful.
"Given the significance of the China market to Australian red meat, the delegation was well supported by our industry and this support did not go unnoticed by our counterparts," she said.
"We were also joined in-country by government officials from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry."
The AMPC team reported there was still a high demand for Australian beef in China, despite quotas being full and shelves filling up with products from alternative countries like Canada, which has recently gained access.
"Some products, in particular bone, are still moving through even with the 55 per cent tariff," Ms Toohey said.
"Unfortunately, the quota for next year is forecast to fill fast with much product waiting in storage and so we may see greater impact on industry next year.
"The delegation was the start of trying to position Australia as a preferred partner while supporting local production."
Dr Ralph said AMPC's involvement in the tours facilitated a better understanding of China's red meat industry for Australian processors.
The program provided Australian delegates with extensive access to and insights into China's red meat supply chain, including visits to sheep and cattle breeding operations, feedlots, processing facilities, further processing businesses, cold storage operations and distribution networks.
It culminated in the signing of an MoU between Australian and Chinese red meat industry leaders, reinforcing their commitment to long-term collaboration.
IMAGE CAPTION: AMPC's Dr Cameron Ralph speaking at a conference in China as part of a delegation tour in September.
