Meat & Livestock Australia launches new consumer website
The site, www.goodmeat.com.au, has been launched by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) to demonstrate how Australian red meat is produced sustainably, in high welfare systems and is an important part of a healthy balanced diet.
The website is also home to a range of educational resources including study guides, classroom posters, lesson and activity sheets, virtual farm visits, digital lessons and online board games.
Good Meat has been developed in consultation with the red meat industry and forms part of MLA’s Domestic Market Strategy and broader Community Engagement program which includes Australian Beef’s virtual reality Paddock to Plate Story, community events, education and schools program and producer advocate development.
MLA managing director Richard Norton said Good Meat spoke directly to those who were curious and seeking more information about production systems.
“The consumer is king in our industry and we understand that community trust is integral to a sustainable and prosperous industry,” he said. “Good Meat provides an engaging platform for red meat producers to share their story and demonstrate their commitment to best practice and continual improvement.
“Through a transparent approach, Good Meat informs consumers and the wider community about the great work of Australian red meat producers and the quality product they produce. It emphasises the high standards already in practice while reinforcing the industry’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare and responsible environment management.”
Recent MLA research shows that only about one in five meat-eaters have a good understanding of the Australian beef and lamb industry and there are now almost 20% fewer Australians from urban centres visiting cattle or sheep farms annually compared to eight years ago.
However, the same research reveals consumers’ appetite to learn more about food production, with more than 50% interested in how Australian farmers produce beef and lamb.
“Good Meat is built on MLA’s consumer insights and data. It is a direct response to the increasing interest consumers have in the provenance of their food and how it is produced,” said Norton. “Farmers remain one of the most trusted professions in the community and are best placed to share information about the production of red meat. That is why Good Meat puts Australian red meat producers on centre stage - sharing their stories and values. Good Meat will also prove an important tool for those producers looking for resources to help share their story, promote what they do, build consumer confidence and challenge misconceptions.”
