Livestock industry unites behind 10-year Live Cattle Growth Plan

Australia’s live cattle industry has united behind an ambitious 10-year blueprint to strengthen one of the nation’s most important agricultural industries.

The Live Cattle Growth Plan sets a clear vision for the industry to 2035, driving commercial growth, regulatory efficiency, stronger trade partnerships, public confidence and continued leadership in animal welfare.

Speaking at today’s National Farmers Federation Leaders’ Summit, the Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, welcomed the Plan’s launch and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for the Australian live cattle trade.

Developed over the past 12 months following extensive consultation, the Plan sets an ambitious agenda for how the sector will work together and alongside government to guarantee the industry’s future prosperity. The Plan has five key goals for the industry:

1. Grow government and community support - build stronger political backing and public confidence in the live cattle trade.
2. Establish a stable policy and regulatory environment - create greater regulatory certainty while balancing government and community expectations with commercial realities.
3. Foster commercial investment and drive growth - give investors, financiers, shipping providers and industry participants encouragement to invest for the long term.
4. Increase confidence within the live cattle export industry - provide the supply chain with greater certainty about the trade's future and encourage producers, exporters and service providers to invest and grow.
5. Achieve long-term sustainability - ensure the industry remains commercially viable, competitive and socially supported through to 2035 and beyond.

Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) Chair Dr Chris Back said the Plan gave the industry every reason to be confident about the future while providing a strong foundation for continued growth.

“By 2035, the Live Cattle Growth Plan aims to deliver expanded markets, stronger community support, a more competitive investment environment, a more stable policy and regulatory environment and an integrated supply chain that continues to set the global benchmark for welfare and performance,” Dr Back said.

“Importantly, the Plan recognises that live exports are part of one connected Australian cattle industry, supporting beef and dairy producers by providing competitive market options, strengthening supply chains and improving industry resilience, particularly across northern Australia.

“The Plan also highlights the role of live cattle exports as a key contributor to Australia’s global citizenship, supporting food security, economic development and community resilience in key trading nations.

“Indonesia remains central to that vision, with decades of commercial partnerships creating opportunities well beyond the cattle trade through investment, skills, animal health and supply chain development.”

These sentiments were echoed by LiveCorp Chair Troy Setter who said the Plan provided an opportunity to build on the significant gains made through industry investment in research, development and innovation.

“Over many years, industry research has delivered real gains in animal welfare, animal health, supply chain performance and our understanding of the factors that underpin a successful trade,” Mr Setter said.

“The next step is to use that strong foundation to build confidence across the industry and beyond to give producers, exporters, service providers, investors, customers and Australian and foreign governments the certainty they need to invest in capacity, innovation and growth for the long term.”

Cattle Australia Chair Garry Edwards said the Plan served as a starting point for the production sector’s aspirations to “see this vital industry grow".

"Our long-term relationships will always serve as the core of this trade. However, we need to continue to push for new opportunities in the rapidly growing economies of countries right on our doorstep,” Mr Edwards said.

"This is a multi-billion-dollar trade that supports thousands of cattle businesses across Australia and underpins much of the market price for our livestock.

“Looking to the future is prudent and exhibits to these businesses and our export markets Australia’s commitment to growing for the future."

Australian Dairy Farmers President Ben Bennett said the collaboration reflected the shared interests of Australia’s livestock industries.

“This is a powerful example of the beef and dairy sectors working together behind a common vision, with a key focus being streamlining the regulatory burden impacting the industry,” Mr Bennett said.

“A strong live export industry creates more opportunities for producers, supports regional businesses and strengthens the broader Australian dairy sector.”