CHICKEN meat issues, and opportunities, will be addressed in a new program by AgriFutures Australia as it investigates ways to drive the
sustainability, productivity and viability of the poultry meat industry.
The new five year research, development and extension plan for the $6.6 billion chicken meat industry sets the agenda to improve its long
term prosperity.
AgriFutures investments for the next five years will be guided by the plan under five key priorities that include improving environmental and
sustainability outcomes, enhancing chicken biosecurity, health and welfare, ensuring food safety, building a capable and sustainable
workforce, and contributing to efficient and secure production systems.
“Consultation was crucial in shaping the priorities for the new plan,” Katherine Balding AgriFutures Advisory Panel Chair said.
“Extensive industry consultation was undertaken with key stakeholders to help identify and prioritise the major factors expected to
affect the chicken meat industry in the coming five years.
“To identify these factors the industry was asked to reflect on the challenges and changes they have experienced over the past few years
due to significant events like droughts, floods and Covid.
“From this, we were able to build priorities to future-proof the Australian chicken meat industry.
“In the plan, our audience will see a focus on building people capability and a diverse and sustainable workforce, while keeping environmental sustainability, food safety, welfare, biosecurity, and efficient production systems as high priorities on our list too.”
The plan also included new focus areas to ensure the workforce needs of the sector were met and the industry was capable of adopting
outcomes from the research program.