THE nation’s peak sheep body has had a revamp with a new industry name and structure announced today.
The peak industry organisation, Sheepmeat Council of Australia (SCA), will now operate as a non-profit public company called Sheep Producers Australia (SPA).
“This model brings a raft of opportunities for the entity such as greater engagement with producers and additional capacity for alternate funding and partnership models,” SCA president Jeff Murray said.
The transition to the new company will take place over the next few months and is expected to be completed by November 2017.
SCA chief executive Kat Giles the move would include the introduction of a skills-based board, with policy committees providing recommendations for board approval.
“State farming organisations (SFO’s) will be state members and there will be provision for organisational members and individual members once the structure is established,” Dr Giles said.
“The change to Sheep Producers Australia Ltd, better reflects the role the organisation plays in representing all sheep producers in the production of sheepmeat.”
Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) managing director Richard Norton welcomed the move.
He said MLA and would continue a productive relationship with the organisation, ensuring sheepmeat research and marketing levy investments contributed to producer productivity, sustainability and global competitiveness.
NSW Farmers Sheepmeat Chair Ian Cargill said the changes were aligned with the organisations’ Australian Meat and Livestock Industry Act obligations.
“This will ensure that the important oversight relationship with Meat and Livestock Australia will continue,” Mr Cargill said.