• Australia's geographic isolation has played an important part in establishing a healthy industry. At the beginning, only diseasefree sheep and cattle could survive the long voyage from Europe. In this way Australia has been effectively isolated from 'exotic diseases'. The health status of today's industry is still zealously guarded through strict customs control and extensive quarantine regulations.

• Australian beef and lamb are products of their environment Australia's vast pastures, clean rainfall and extensive sunshine has resulted in beef and lamb that is often raised in natural, free range conditions and is among the best in the world.

• Advanced farm management, animal husbandry and meat processing techniques have led to further industry development. Australian livestock breeders are progressive and motivated to optimise livestock production through farm and pasture improvements, maintenance of water supplies and the development and use of modern technology. In many cases, Australia has been in the forefront of the technological advancement of livestock and meat production, handling and transportation.

• The Australian Government authorities and AUS-MEAT (the industry standards organisation) impose rigorous codes ofgeographic factors influence the style and quality of beef produced off grass practice throughout the processing chain. Our standards of hygiene and quality control are among the highest in the world. Food safety is a primary consideration at all stages, of production. A large proportion of the red meat production in Australia is exported to over 100 countries making Australia the largest red meat exporter in the world. This results in Australian production systems being recognised by beef and sheepmeat importing countries throughout the world.

Prime Lamb

The Australian sheep industry has developed the production of quality prime lamb to a high degree of efficiency on natural pastures. Most lamb is produced in fertile regions with good rainfall or from irrigated areas with lush pastures.

Due to climatic variation the lamb production season varies from state to state. This gives year round supply of quality lamb carcases.

The size and shape of lamb carcases varies significantly between breeds. The Australian sheep flock is predominantly Merino, which is highly prized for its wool. Merino lambs are typically large framed and lean.

Various cross breeds utilising the Merino crossed with British breeds have created shorter, more compact carcases which are the basis of Australia's prime lamb industry. In addition, a small section of the industry is experimenting with the production of milk-fed, and grainfed carcases. The resultant versatility of Australian lamb production is a significant attribute of the industry, offering chefs the opportunity to purchase from a wide range of high quality lamb products.