Sheep Meat Producers Agree to Cooperate

Australia's sheep meat industry will share its expertise with overseas rivals in an effort to halt falling world consumption. The commitment was made at the first ever world congress of sheep producers held in Europe.

The congress heard that high production costs and growing competition from other products was driving down global demand.

Kate Joseph, from the Sheep Meat Council of Australia, said it is in the industry's interest to share skills in marketing and breeding.

"Look, I don't see other lamb producers as competitors," she says. "I see our competitors as other cheap protein sources such as pork, chicken and vegetarian options. I think the world is big enough that other lamb producers are not our competition, and there's plenty of room for all of us out there to work together."

Reprinted from ABD Rural, Australia