Australia's meat industry not cooked yet

Mr Yardy said while there had been a greater discussion around meat substitutes, Australians still enjoyed meat.

"The reality is this attention is occurring against a backdrop in which most of the population in Australia continues to buy red meat and enjoy it as part of the weekly diet," Mr Yardy said.

He said a recent report produced partly by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations had found global beef consumption was forecast to grow at an average rate of 1.1 per cent a year to 2023.

An increased demand supported by population and income growth around the world.

Mr Yardy said global sheep meat consumption was also forecast to grow, with the United Nations study predicting an increase of 1.5 per cent a year to 2023.

Mr Yardy said the Australian industry was responding to concerns about the environmental impact of meat production by committing to being carbon neutral by 2030.

"This is an ambitious target and has already sent a very clear message to our global customers and other stakeholders that the Australian red meat industry are leaders in environmental production and are responding to consumer needs."