Australian Dairy Farmers says that Australia should take note of the European Union's new Livestock Strategy, which recognises livestock industries as central to food security, regional communities and economic resilience.
The strategy, launched recently, marks a shift from treating livestock production primarily as an emissions issue toward viewing it as a strategic asset.
ADF president Ben Bennett said the approach struck a sensible balance between sustainability and farm viability, noting that profitable farms were what allowed continued investment in animal welfare and environmental improvements.
The EU strategy rests on five priorities: crisis resilience, global competitiveness, sustainability, support for all farm types and regions, and production excellence, alongside a renewed focus on domestic food security.
Mr Bennett said the themes closely mirrored ADF's own advocacy, arguing recent geopolitical instability had underscored the value of strong domestic food production.
He called on the Federal Government to examine the EU's approach and commit to protecting Australia's livestock industries, including the dairy sector's long-term future.
He added that rising global standards meant Australian dairy farmers needed continued government investment and policy support to stay competitive on productivity, sustainability and innovation.
