The Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Hon Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy
In collaboration with the Albanese Labor Government, Meat and Livestock Australia have commenced work on developing a new Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme livestock method.
The scheme will enable farmers to diversify their income and reduce methane emissions through better livestock management practices.
It will include feed additives, like asparagopsis seaweed and 3-NOP, which can reduce methane produced during ruminant digestion.
Once developed, the Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee (ERAC) will assess the new method against the legislated Offsets Integrity Standards.
The Australian Government has invested $29 million through the Methane Emissions Reduction in Livestock program to drive innovation and develop the evidence base for methane reducing feed additive technologies, like asparagopsis seaweed.
An additional $6.9 million has been spent through the Developing Australia's Seaweed Farming grant program, to support the Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance-led efforts to scale up commercial production of asparagopsis seaweed.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins:
"I'm pleased work is underway on a new livestock method to support farm practices that lower Australia's emissions while providing opportunities to improve productivity and diversify on-farm income.
"This new method will include methane-reducing benefits of feed additives, like asparagopsis, which ties in well with emerging 'blue carbon' economy."
"More broadly, the Government has committed over $2 billion to ensure the country is best placed to address the challenges and embrace the opportunities ahead."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson:
"The government is working with industry to design a next-generation livestock ACCU method that supports emissions reduction, while safeguarding ACCU market integrity and public confidence.
"We want to make sure there's greater emphasis on direct methane abatement, with clearer and verifiable causal links between actions taken on the farm and emissions reduced based on enhanced monitoring and reporting.
"The new method delivers on this goal, advancing the government's commitment to reforms towards a high-integrity carbon trading system in keeping with the Chubb Review recommendations."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lyons, Rebecca White:
"There are so many interesting and innovative businesses in the primary production sector, including here in Tasmania.
"I'm really excited our government is delivering the framework that will help farming innovators to succeed."
Quotes attributable to Managing Director of Meat & Livestock Australia, Michael Crowley:
"MLA is currently working in partnership with government and industry to develop a next-generation ACCU livestock method that reflects the latest science and on-farm innovation.
"This work is focused on creating practical pathways for red meat producers to improve productivity while unlocking new financial incentives alongside methane reduction, helping ensure the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the sector."
