Australian Lamb – Always High Quality & Tasty

Australian Sheep Industry Tradition & Experience.

Australia has a long history of farming sheep. An old saying says ‘Australia was built on the sheep’s back’. Since the late 1700’s Australian farmers have grazed sheep in the wide-open Australian pastures. Australia’s natural environment is perfect for farming sheep and raising lambs.

Aussie Lamb is highly regarded around the world. Australia is the world’s largest sheepmeat exporter. Australia exports over two thirds of its sheepmeat, including to the UK, where families enjoy making tasty Australian lamb dishes.

On-farm quality assurance programs ensure quality and integrity. 80% of sheep farms in Australia are accredited with the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA). LPA’s seven requirements include, Animal Welfare and Biosecurity. The LPA program provides evidence of livestock history and on-farm practices as livestock travel through the supply chain.

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia’s identification and traceability system which allows the lifetime traceability of sheep through the supply chain.

Together, the LPA and NLIS programs ensure the food safety and traceability of all Australian sheep exports.

Responsible sheep farming practices: Animal Welfare & Sustainability

Australian farmers have been custodians of the land for generations. Sheep farmers believe that caring for animals and their farmland helps to produce premium, safe, and consistent lamb. Ensuring this will be sustained for years to come.

The Sheep Sustainability Framework (SSF) sets out six principles for sustainable sheepmeat production. Ethical, environmentally, socially and financially responsible production by current and future generations.

Australian sheep graze on pastures year-round. Sheep play an important role for Australian farmers to sustainably manage the land. When managed well, sheep can regenerate the land on which they graze.

Aussie farmers, like Tim and Georgie Leeming, prioritize animal welfare and sustainability in their farming practices. The Leeming’s operate Paradoo Prime, a self-replacing prime lamb enterprise, comprising of 1,800 hectares and 9,500 head of ewes at Pigeon Ponds in southwestern Victoria.

In this video, Tim explains they are quick to utilise every tool available to deliver healthier lambs and higher overall productivity and profitability on their farm.

Is Australian Lamb Halal?

A large majority of Australian Lamb available in the UK is Halal certified. The Halal certification process in Australia is captured in legislation. It encompasses every stage, starting from the rearing of livestock through to processing and distribution.

The Australian Government Authorised Halal Programme (AGAHP) is a collaborative program, jointly administered by Islamic Societies and the Australian Government. Strict guidelines require all facilities are inspected and accepted as suitable for Halal slaughter and/or production. Approved Islamic Organisations and a representative of the Australian Government are required to complete the inspections.

Halal leg of lamb, halal lamb shank and halal lamb chops are all marked with a clear halal stamp or label to demonstrate it is certified by the Australian Government and Approved Islamic Organisations.

Australia has strict food safety and traceability systems for Halal meat production. These systems ensure that buyers worldwide can trust the respect for Halal practices when purchasing Aussie Lamb.

In the UK, Australian Halal lamb meat is available from retailers like Booker, Farmfoods halal lamb is also a popular choice. Here is our list of where to buy Halal lamb in the UK.

Aussie lamb in the UK.

The Australia – UK Free Trade Agreement (A-UK FTA) entered into force in June 2023 and created an increase in demand for all Australian meat, including Aussie grass fed lamb.

Nick Sherwood – Managing Director, JBS Global (UK), said “we had a number of customers who we could regularly supply for only 6-9 months of the year because of quota restrictions…..we can now maintain that supply for 12 months. [regular supply allows us to] develop deeper partnerships with UK customers, providing reliable, consistent quality lamb to service their market channels.”

Australian exporters, like JBS Global, are important to supply gaps in the UK lamb availability during winter and early spring. Our Where to Buy page has a full list of UK Distributors and Catering Butchers.

Is Australian Lamb good?

Meat Standards Australia (MSA) is the world’s only consumer-based eating quality grading system. 2.31M sheep in 2022-23 were assessed against the MSA program to ensure it meets customer expectations for tenderness, juiciness, and flavour. Whether you are buying Australian lamb chops, leg of lamb or medallions of lamb, you can be confident Aussie lamb that carries the MSA graded tick of approval will be delicious – every time.

MSA sheepmeat is labelled with a recommended cooking method, according to standards developed by consumer taste panels. Over 90,000 consumer taste tests of lamb and sheepmeat products have been completed.

These Meat Standards for Aussie lamb make sure chefs can be confident in the quality and consistency of Australian lamb cuts. Australian lamb is perfect for fine dining recipes like Lamb Rump with Spiced Lamb Bonbon and Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb or something with an Asian flavour like Teriyaki Glazed Aussie Rack of Lamb.

Whether a special occasion Easter roast leg of lamb or lamb chops for an Aussie style BBQ, you can be confident in the quality of Australian lamb.

Check out our Where to Buy page to find a stockist.

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