title: Balancing consumer and societal requirements for sheep meat production: an Australasian perspective.
abstract: Although there has been a decline in sheep numbers in Australia and New Zealand, both countries remain significant producers and exporters of sheep meat. The ongoing demand for more sustainable and ethical animal farming systems and practices requires sheep production industries to be both vigilant and responsive to consumer and the broader societal needs. Demonstration of continuous improvement in animal welfare is paramount and the welfare risks and challenges confronting Australasian sheep industries now and into the future are discussed.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Agriculture Flagship, FD McMaster Laboratory, Locked Bag 1, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia. Electronic address: drewe.ferguson@csiro.au.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Schreurs
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Kenyon
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, 6151, Australia.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Jacob
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001290:Attitude; D001315:Australia; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004032:Diet; D019649:Food Industry; D008460:Meat; D009520:New Zealand; D034561:Sheep, Domestic
keywords: Animal welfare; Australia; Consumer requirements; Meat quality; New Zealand