MEAT & Livestock Australia hosted a series of forums in Osaka and Tokyo last week to discuss and reinforce Australia's industry programs and confirms a strong Japanese-Australian trading partnership. More than 900 Japanese red meat importers, wholesalers and retailers attended the biennial event. The strong turn-out reinforced the strong interest Japan has in Australian beef and lamb products, despite the global financial crisis and the falling $A. MLA chairman and managing director Don Heatley attended the forums. MLA gave an extensive presentation on the red meat supply. The Japanese also heard the results of a recent consumer survey showing a majority of respondents have confidence in the safety of Australian beef.

* Extract from Global News in Stock Journal, December 4 issue.