The sustainability success story of the Australian red meat and livestock industry has been put in the spotlight ahead of Earth Day 2023.
Earth Day is held each year as a reminder of the urgent need to protect our environment. At a webinar this morning organised by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Global Meat Alliance, MLA Managing Director Jason Strong and well-known dietician Diana Rodgers highlighted the vital links between the environment and sustainable diets.
Ms Rodgers is from the United States and has directed films and written books on sustainable and healthy eating. She said that red meat producers had an amazing story to tell the world.
"Red meat is uniquely nutrient-dense, providing essential nutrients in efficient packages," Ms Rodgers said.
"Across the globe, the leading nutrient deficiencies in people include iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A and zinc. These nutrients are best found in animal-source foods.
"Red meat is also vital in parts of the world that are experiencing hunger and malnutrition. Just a small amount of meat consumed each day could deliver essential nutrients needed, in an efficient way.
"In a nutshell, beef and lamb really is the ultimate superfood."
MLA Managing Director, Jason Strong, said the contribution of red meat was enhanced when put into the context of the industry's sustainability credentials.
"This is especially the case when it comes to climate, as is demonstrated by our industry's commitment to being carbon neutral by 2030 (CN30)," Mr Strong said.
"We are showing that far from being the problem, the industry is showing that it is a major part of the climate solution.
"For example, the livestock sector's emissions have halved since 2005 and we are on track to be climate neutral in the next few years, which means that the sector isn't making additional contributions to global warming."
CN30 was established in 2017. To date, MLA has already invested $200m and plans to invest $150m more over the next few years into the CN30 goal.
Learn more: Making every day Earth Day (goodmeat.com.au)
