Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) is the national peak body representing Australia's 20,000 sheep meat producers.  Our producers work hard, and we do too to enhance the productivity, profitability and sustainability of the sector. We do this by:

·    advocating on behalf of producers with government and industry stakeholders

·    monitoring investment of producer levies

·    engaging with our State Farming Organisation members

·    consulting with industry and sharing important information and solutions

·    improving understanding of the key issues facing Australian sheep farmers via media and other communication and engagement channels.

Project:  The New Politics of Red Meat Production

Summary:

Increasingly the ‘new politics’ of agriculture, food and land management are confronting the traditional policies and practices of farmers across Australia.   The primary production policy agenda has broadened, interlinking with wider societal objectives for ‘clean and green,’ carbon neutral and nature positive.  This changing dialogue now incorporates ‘city dwellers’ and others with specific agendas, some of whom may have never been on an actual working farm.

This project is to scope the nature of the changing political landscape of agricultural production:   What are the changing expectations for agriculture, especially for red meat production?   What are the stated objectives/ outcomes of the new participants?  How is this being reflected in current processes such as the supermarket enquiries and expectations for increased reporting on the provenance and ESG implications of food production?   The student will undertake a literature review to identify trends and issues, for discussion and refinement with red meat producers. The project outputs will provide a basis for further analysis and development of industry messaging.