In this inquiry report, the Committee recommends that the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry review its food import risk frameworks to ensure that they are fit for purpose and that decisions under the frameworks are accelerated where required.

In December 2021, the Queensland Government’s Statewide Land and Tree Study (SLATS) released the most recent detections of forest and woodland destruction for 2018-19 using a new and more accurate methodology. This report analyses the 2018-19 SLATS data to quantify destruction of forested habitats for...

This discussion paper outlines the key proposed changes and enhancements to the existing laws. These proposals have been developed to be consistent with the Five Freedoms and Five Domains models of animal welfare, and to reflect best practice in constructing modern legislation.

This inquiry found that there is overwhelming support across the horse industry for a national horse traceability register in some form. However, one of the primary challenges revealed during this inquiry is achieving consensus across the horse industry of a single, clear rationale for a...

This report provides 11 recommendations to improve animal welfare in intensive winter grazing farm systems.

The Department of Agriculture is conducting a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) process to analyse the economic and regulatory impacts of policy options for the future regulation of live sheep exports to, or through, the Middle East. This discussion paper outlines some initial policy option ideas.

China is experiencing an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), which is devastating its pig farms. this paper argues that the Chinese response to the crisis has not been well managed. Quarantine efforts have failed and a culture of secrecy around reporting outbreaks has made...

This paper focuses on transformative approaches to climate change adaptation in livestock production, including transformative pathways, or sets of discrete actions and strategies that can be sequenced to create a general trajectory toward transformation.

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Plant-based ‘meat’ and ‘lab-grown’ meat may help to tackle the unsustainability of the livestock sector. Focusing on the EU, this paper explores the challenges of scaling up production and generating demand for such meat analogues.

The discussion document outlines proposed changes and seeks public comment to achieve better outcomes for NZ Crown pastoral land in the South Island high country.

This inquiry was initiated in response to concerns about pesticides and their impact on bees. There has been general concern in Australia about the safety of chemicals in general, the safety of glyphosate more specifically, and the need to ban the use of neonicotinoid-based pesticides.

The objectives of this project were to determine the market impact and influences of biofuel mandates on the feedlot sector and the broader Australian community.

This brief is based on a presentation by ABARES’ Executive Director to the National Drought Summit in October 2018 describing the effects of the current drought on Australian agriculture. The brief summarises the extent of rainfall deficiencies and the effects on crop production, livestock markets...

Modelling was commissioned to provide a better understanding of the contribution of New Zealand’s livestock methane to warming. The commissioner is releasing the results of the modelling to ensure that wider policy discussions are grounded in the underlying science.

This report proposes a number of recommendations aimed at addressing stock theft, rural trespass and illegal hunting. These include enhanced penalties for existing offences, an expansion of current regulatory requirements and significant changes to the way the NSW Police Force is currently structured to address...

Changes are needed to improve transparency and competitiveness in Australia’s cattle and beef markets, with an ACCC study highlighting shortcomings in price reporting, a lack of trust in the carcass grading system, and concerns about anti-competitive conduct affecting competition in cattle and beef sales. The...

Farmers change slowly Avoid pain with clear signals Research; replace cows. This paper explores how New Zealand should address agricultural greenhouse gas emissions: methane and nitrous oxide. The starting point is the internationally agreed-upon goal of limiting global warming to below two degrees, and New...

The purpose of this document is to specify the standards for the operation of the electronic tag based NLIS (Sheep & Goats) system in Victoria. These standards apply to all sheep and goats born on or after the commencement date (1 January 2017) that move...

The technology currently available to beef producers of remote Australia can play a numbers of roles in the management of cattle properties. Of the 60 technology products listed here, 33 are currently available for use by beef producers. Unfortunately, the authors were not able to...

Scabby mouth (contagious ecthyma, orf) is a highly contagious, viral disease of sheep, goats and occasionally humans. It occurs throughout Victoria. This disease is a potential problem of live sheep exports due to the close confinement of animals and the feeding of sheep with pellets...

Meat consumers today prefer lean meat. Butchers need consistent products that always meet specification. Goats can produce lean mean but it is a common myth that goats are always lean. This myth is based on observations made on dairy type goats and on poorly fed...

This Agriculture Note provides practical information about managing breeding goats on commercial farms. It discusses management practices that affect reproductive performance, fertility and mating during autumn. Where possible, examples of reproductive performance from goats farmed in Victoria are provided. Other Agriculture Notes discuss the grazing...

Commercial marketing of meat goats involves identifying the market, correct husbandry and nutritional management, proper assessment of goats suitable for marketing and the correct preparation of goats prior to dispatch to the market. This article discusses the correct preparation of meat goats prior to dispatch...

This Agriculture Note provides details of general and technical references in Australian goat production. The Department provides some technical Agriculture Notes on goat production. There are also other general publications on goat production, some of which are listed below. For many inquiries, including both students...