The BlazeAid initiative, with support from JBS’ customers in UK and Europe, follows JBS Australia’s donation to the Australian Volunteer Firefighter Trust, established by the Business Council of Australia and Equity Trustees to support the children of volunteer firefighters who have died on duty.
With more than 11 million hectares of land have been destroyed by the recent fires, and it is estimated that 30% of the national sheep flock and 20% of the national cattle herd have been either directly or partially impacted by the fires.
JBS Global UK managing director Nick Sherwood said: “The world has been shocked at the devastation wreaked by Australia’s recent bushfires, none more so than here in UK and Europe where the relationship with Australia has been one of a longstanding friendship, with many personal connections to the agricultural communities affected. Our business in the UK/Europe is heavily invested in the promotion of Australian beef and lamb and it has been distressing to see partners within our supply chain and their wider communities having suffered destructive loss to their properties and livestock. Credit to the network of volunteers on the ground and our colleagues at JBS Australia who are making a phenomenal early stage contribution towards rebuilding livelihoods.
“The challenges now faced by the agriculture communities are significant and we wanted to make a contribution to more directly assist producers and landowners that are the starting point in our supply chain. JBS Global UK and a number of our key customers for Australian beef and lamb, including Schoonderwoerd Vlees BV, Norvida AB, Chisholm, KS Foods, Deliserve, James Burden Ltd and Tom Hixon of Smithfield have come together to do our small part to help BlazeAid continue its important work in support of farmers and families in rural Australia.”