Australia changes the definition of lamb for export
Australia is responding to New Zealand growing competition on global lamb market by increasing the age when animals are still considered lambs and by thus modifying the definition of lamb. In Australia, the issue is debated for decades, according to Eurocarne Digital magazine.
David Littleproud, Minister of Agriculture of Australia, has announced that the country will change the definition of lamb for export in order to match the definition that already applies New Zealand and thus be able to eliminate the competitive advantage of the product New Zealander about Australians.
Previously it had been considered that the lamb had grown to become the less lucrative "hogget" or lamb as soon as the incisor teeth were visible, but in New Zealand, the lamb was still considered lamb after the animal had two teeth.
"The lamb will continue to be called lamb when the animal has two permanent incisor teeth, as long as those teeth are new and have not started to be used. Our definition of export will now coincide with the definition of New Zealand and our own definition for domestic trade. After decades of discussion, the time to speak ended. This is a simple change of common sense. This will mean that our producers can sell more lambs towards the end of the growing season and expand their lamb export opportunities. It will be easy for producers to see when a lamb becomes a sheep when there is visible wear on the incisors." Minister Littleproud said.
A research conducted by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) found no discernible differences in the quality of feeding between lambs immediately before the incisors and immediately after. This move will also change the Export Control Orders (meat and meat products) of 2005 and could lead to higher volumes of lamb exports for Australia.
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