Australia-Voluntary labelling beef for US market.

AUSTRALIA-NEW LABELING.

Meat and Livestock Australia says a new voluntary US labeling standard for ’naturally raised’ meat gives Australian beef and lamb ’a leg-up’ in the US marketplace.

MLA regional manager for North America, Michelle Gorman, says vegetarian-fed or antibiotic and growth-promotant-free beef or lamb can qualify for a ’naturally raised’ label-and help Australian producers better target key US consumers.

"We’re seeing that there is a growing group of consumers, here in the United States, that are more interested in how the animals are raised," she says.

Ms Gorman admits there’s been some shrinkage in naturally raised and organic meat sales with the economic downturn, but claims long-term, the future is bright.