The Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport is conducting an inquiry into concerns relating to meat marketing, in particular the need for effective supervision of national standards and controls and the national harmonisation of regulations applying to the branding and marketing of meat. An Interim report was handed down on 4th September and found that the substitution of mutton for lamb in the $1.2 billion sheep meat industry was a legitimate concern. The Committee has recommended that abattoirs be bound by national slaughter standards, requiring the examination of sheep’s mouths to determine age. The Committee is expected to submit a final report to the Senate by June 30 2009.
For further information regarding the inquiry please visit: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/meat_marketing/index.htm
