Trio of sheep industry leaders tasked with creating ‘clear pathway’ for WA ahead of 2028 live export ban

A trio of WA sheep industry figureheads have been tasked with creating “evidence-backed” plan for the State’s sheep and wool sector as it braces for the end of live sheep exports in three years’ time. Bindi Murray, Erin Gorter and Ashley Herbert were selected to form the Strategic Steering Group for their “skills and knowledge” in the industry, and will serve in in the group independent of any organisations they work for or are currently a part of. They will join the Federal Government’s transition advocate Dr Chris Rodwell on a mission to create a strategy to set out a “clear pathway” for the industry as it prepares for the Federal Government’s ban on live sheep exports in May 2028. The trio have been appointed for an initial period of 12 months and plan to develop a plan for the industry by mid next year. In an email to industry stakeholders last week, Dr Rodwell — who was appointed to his role in January — said he had spoken to “as many producers and organisations as possible” and it was clear the sector needed a “clear pathway” to help guide investment. The Federal Government last year unveiled a $139 million package to help sectors affected by the ban transition away from the trade, with further details about the division of the three different funding stream revealed last month. “One of the things I’ve consistently heard is that the sheep industry in WA needs a clear pathway to help guide investment and thinking for what good looks like as it transitions,” Dr Rodwell wrote in the email. “To this end I am pleased to announce the establishment of a leadership group which will play a central role in guiding the development of an evidence-backed industry strategy for the WA sheep and wool sector. “The strategy will outline priority actions to help guide system change and ensure that the sector is best positioned for growth and investment.” The $139m boost has been divided into three different programs, with one managed by the WA Government and two by the Federal Government. WA’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is managing the $40 million Supply Chain Capacity Program, which aims to strengthen WA’s sheep processing and finishing capacity by helping both farmers and abattoirs. Sheep producers can apply for funding of between $50,000 and $2 million to develop or upgrade on-farm sheep finishing infrastructure, while processors may seek up to $5 million to expand processing operations. The first of two rounds opened late last month and will close on October 22, with the second expected to open early next year. The first of the Federal Government-run program is the Farm Business Transition Program — offering grants of up to $75,000 to help sheep producers develop tailored business plans and adopt alternative farming systems away from live sheep exports. The second, the Livestock Transport Industry Transition Program, provides up to $40,000 for trucking or transport businesses to contribute towards planning, training, and co-funded investment in upgrading or modifying transport assets. Dr Rodwell said both of the Federally-managed programs were expected to open in the fourth quarter of this calendar year, and sheep producers could apply for both the Supply Chain Capacity Program and the Farm Business Transition Program. “However, each application must relate to a different project or activity,” he said. According to the Department of Agriculture website, the Strategic Steering Group will strategic guidance on the development of a medium-long term industry strategy and priority action plan for, and supported by, the WA sheep and wool sector. They will also identify any required analysis or work needed to inform and support the industry strategy and priority action plan, identify issues and barriers to successful transition, and facilitate connections between organisations and groups to amplify and connect networks, resources and opportunities. Dr Rodwell said Ms Murray, Ms Gorter and Mr Herbert had been selected for their “skills and knowledge” and would not act as representatives for any “respective organisations or businesses”. Federal Government tender documents show each are being paid about $26,000 for their 12-month roles. Ms Murray is a commercial sheep farmer at Woodanilling and the chair at Sheep Producers Australia, while Ms Gorter is a well-known rural industry consultant who also sits on the Grower Group Alliance board. Mr Herbert is also a well-known farm management consultant and the founder of Agrarian Management. “As a group we will be focused on the things needed to ensure a continued profitable and productive sheep supply chain in WA and one of our first tasks will be ensuring we have a clear current state of the sector that is informed by evidence and data,” Dr Rodwell said. “I look forward to working closely with the members of the Strategic Steering Group and continuing to engage with... the broader industry to work together to ensure a strong and vibrant sheep industry.”