NEWS IN BRIEF: New appointments, outbreaks, wool worries and lamb CPI lifts by 17% 

Dr Chris Rodwell has been appointed Transition Advocate for the Government’s live sheep export phase-out. With expertise in agricultural exports, biosecurity, and animal welfare, he recently worked at the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness and has held senior government roles in WA, the Commonwealth, and New Zealand. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data shows food price inflation slowing to 3% in Q4 2024, the smallest annual rise since 2021. However, prices remain high, with inflation above the 10-year average of 2.7%. RaboResearch’s Michael Harvey notes a 17% rise in lamb prices compared to Q4 2023, though this follows a 15% annual decline in Q4 2023. 

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has appointed Troy Williams as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), commencing in March. Mr Williams, most recently the CEO of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia and the Australian Dental Industry Association, has a background in the military and extensive experience in regulated industries. Mr Williams replaces Tony Mahar, who left in late 2024, with Charlie Thomas acting as CEO until Mr Williams starts on March 3. 

The Queensland Government has launched a 25-year blueprint to grow the state’s primary industries to $30 billion by 2030. A four-month consultation starts with a forum on 26 February in Brisbane, with the plan to be released next financial year. 

The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) has updated the Animal Welfare Certification System (AAWCS) standards, introducing mandatory video surveillance from 1 January 2026. AMIC’s Acting CEO Tim Ryan says this reinforces industry commitment to best-practice welfare standards. The updates were developed with RSPCA, AUS-MEAT, AMPC, DAFF, and an independent welfare expert, with ongoing support for industry adoption. 

WoolProducers President Steve Harrison has questioned marketing effectiveness and called for greater investment in reducing production costs as the peak body released the Factors Influencing the Australian Wool Price report, compiled by Episode3. We will have more on this issue in the coming weeks. 

Outbreaks of livestock diseases have prompted China to ban sheep, goat, and poultry imports from multiple African, Asian, and European countries. The ban, which includes processed and unprocessed products, follows disease outbreak reports from the World Health Organization. Affected nations include Ghana, Somalia, Qatar, Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Tanzania, Egypt, Bulgaria, East Timor, and Eritrea.  

A confirmed human case of Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been detected in northern Victoria, with virus presence confirmed in mosquitoes and feral pigs along the Murray River. Residents should take precautions against mosquito bites. 

Farmers for Climate Action has welcomed Tasmania’s fracking ban extension to 2030, citing protection of agriculture, markets, and environmental health. 

The BOM has released its forecast for February through April, with above-average rainfall likely in northern and southern Australia, while southern and eastern regions can expect warmer days. Unusually high overnight temperatures are also forecast nationwide.