IN MARKET GROWING DEMAND EATING FOR THE PLANET Areport released by the “Clearly, we don’t agree with 28g of red Combatting misinformation EAT‑Lancet Commission meat a day. MLA promotes eating in line Producers share the same concerns has outlined what a diet with the Australian Dietary Guidelines, as consumers for the environment and that’s good for the planet which recommend 130g of lean and climate variability, according to South may look like – but what does cooked red meat every second day Gippsland beef and lamb producer it mean for the Australian red because it’s an important protein Jenny O’Sullivan. source of iron and zinc. meat industry? “It’s critical for us to look after our land “However, initial discussions indicate so we can farm for the long term. We’re The EAT‑Lancet Commission, a that EAT‑Lancet recommendations – front‑line environmentalists and many global team of 37 experts, published applied locally – would not mean a of us have been involved with groups the Healthy Diets from Sustainable reduction in production, given our like Landcare for decades – so we’re Food Systems report in January. export profile and limited arable land. very concerned with any misinformation To address the need to sustain a about our industry,” Jenny said. growing population, the commission “When looking at global food security, recommends changes to diet, using available resources like our “In Australia, we have one of most production and food waste – all of rangelands and grasslands to graze efficient production systems in which could have implications for livestock is a sustainable food the world as far as water use and Australian red meat. production system. In many areas, conservation. As an industry, we’re that’s the only way we can produce moving forward with environmental The report, which aims to describe food on that land while managing the sustainability.” a ‘universal healthy reference diet’, landscape,” Pip said. endorses an increase in foods such as Jenny says it’s important all producers vegetable, fruits, wholegrains, legumes Sharing Australian red are aware of the progress being made and nuts, and suggests limiting red meat’s story in this space and take an active role meat to a maximum of 28g of red According to Pip, it’s important the in both advancing that progress and meat a day in an effort to reduce industry engages in the ‘sustainable spreading the message. consumption by half. It’s estimated that diet’ debate in a constructive way. “All the evidence‑based information is universal adoption of this guideline Here are a few ways MLA is promoting there. Go to websites like the Australian by 2050 would reduce global meat red meat’s nutrition and sustainability Beef Sustainability Framework and production by 70%. credentials: Good Meat. Know it and share it,” The fast‑growing interest in sustainable 1 MLA’s Healthy Meals website, which Jenny said. ■ . diets and climate change means promotes the ‘So what’s for dinner?’ there’s a risk this target could be widely program,offers nutrition education Pip Band adopted, even if the underpinning materialsthat meet consumer E: pband@mla.com.au evidence base is limited. demands for variety, enjoyment Industry’s response and easy ‘how to’ ideas, including Pip Band, MLA’s Manager – protein and vegetable portion Sustainability Strategy & Stakeholders, size guides and flexible recipes. said the report is an opportunity for the mlahealthymeals.com.au Australian red meat industry to promote 2. The Australian Good Meat its nutrition and sustainability credentials. platform ensures the community has access to credible information Pip has been working with the authors about red meat production to of HealthyDiets from Sustainable help them make informed choices. Food Systems to determine what the goodmeat.com au . EAT‑Lancet Commission means in 3. Through the Australian Beef an Australian context. She attended Sustainability F ork, the beef the commission’s Australian launch ramew and participated in its Food Systems industry is working proactively Dialogue along with retailers, public to ensure it continues to meet health professionals and academics. community expectations. One example is the industry’s target to “There was a subsequent be carbon neutral by 2030, while teleconference with the EAT Global at the same time preserving and chief executive officer and one of the enhancing the natural environment authors, Marrior Herrero, from the that the industry operates in. CSIRO, to explore how the EAT‑Lancet sustainableaustralianbeef.com.au approach could be localised in Australia with both our consumption data, but also production systems,” Pip said. 41