New appointments

Australia’s world-first Sheep Sustainability Framework has announced a series of new appointments to its leadership, including Dr Scott Williams as chair and four new members of a sustainability steering group.

Three new representatives have also joined the combined Sheep Producers Australia and Woolproducers Australia board – joint owners of the Sheep Sustainability Framework, SSF.

Established in early 2021, the SSF was created to help industry better understand its opportunities, challenges and impacts in key areas such as environmental health, economic resilience, animal care and people and community. It presents evidence to stakeholders that Australian sheep meat and wool is produced responsibly, and demonstrates the industry has a clear path towards continual improvement, where needed.

Dr Scott Williams, who has more than 30 years’ experience in animal health, biosecurity, animal welfare, facilitation, strategic planning, corporate governance and the broader agriculture sector, said he was looking forward to building on the important foundational work already completed, to bring an excellent sustainability framework into effect.

“Australian sheep meat and wool have become premium products and our customers and consumers are willing to pay a good price but, in return, they expect all of our ‘ducks lined up’ when it comes to quality and integrity,” he said.

Belinda Dexter, Ed Dunn, Lachlan Monsbourgh and Anna Playfair-hannay will join Sustainability Steering Group, and Helen Carrigan, Bonnie Skinner and Ben Thomas will join the SSF board.

“This is an outstanding group of leaders from across the supply chain to guide the maturation of the SSF, and I am looking forward to working closely with them to contribute to a truly sustainable and prosperous sheep and wool industry,” Dr Williams said.