Australia's sustainability credentials were on the world stage as part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)'s first ever Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation in Rome, Italy.
The conference provided a forum for FAO Members, producer organisations, research and academic institutions, development agencies, civil society organisations and private sector bodies to engage on innovations and pathways to produce more nutritious, safe and accessible animal source foods efficiently with a reduced environmental footprint, and contribute to vibrant local and diversified livestock systems that are more resilient to shocks and disruptions.
A/g Deputy Secretary, Nicola Hinder, Assistant Secretary, Peter Creaser and Agriculture Counsellor (Rome), Emma Hatcher led Australia's delegation, alongside representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Queensland), CSIRO and representatives from Australian beef, wool and dairy industries.
Throughout the event, Nicola highlighted Australia's outcomes-based, commonsense approach to agricultural sustainability, which focuses on all three pillars - economic, environmental and social - and is underpinned by science- and risk-based policies and regulations. She recognised that all countries have diverse circumstances and that there is 'no one-size-fits- all' to agricultural sustainability; and highlighted the role trade plays in delivering sustainable outcomes, particularly focusing on transparent, predictable, open and fair markets.
She hosted a CSIRO-led panel session on 'seriously sexy science' - focusing on emerging technologies for livestock methane mitigation and productivity gains. CSIRO's panel session involved scientists working in Australia, Brazil, Spain and Africa, which really highlighted the global nature of a science and evidence-based approach to sustainability and that practices can and should be developed on a country-by-country basis.
Nicola also led a meeting with the Global Livestock Sustainability Youth Panel, which ran alongside the main conference. The participants came from livestock communities around the world and were not afraid to challenge speakers about ways to do and think better.
This truly global forum highlighted the importance of fostering innovation to achieve agricultural sustainability and we were delighted to contribute to the conversation. It was great to be able to share our knowledge, science, and different approaches; and hear from experts about around what is happening around the world. It was certainly a passionate crowd.
We are keen to see this momentum grow and are looking at ways we can continue to work together - with our global partners - to deliver a more productive and sustainable livestock sector. This will not only contribute to Australian agriculture's prosperity; it will also play an important role in improving food security globally.
Catch up on CSIRO's event on emerging technologies for livestock methane mitigation & productivity gains at: https://www.fao.org/webcast/home/en/item/6274/icode/
