As part of his long-standing responsibilities as an AMIC processor board member, Mr Hayes has taken a key role in representing Australia’s interests in the field of Halal certification, allowing Australian exports to access a growing number of Halal-dependent markets around the world.
He has chaired AMIC’s Halal committee for more than a decade, and has represented Australia numerous times at World Halal Forum (WHF) over the years. Because of his integrity and commitment to the Halal cause, Mr Hayes has been one of the few non-Muslim representatives asked to speak at the WHF events.
There is no doubt that Australia’s reputation as a reputable and committed Halal beef and sheep meat supplier has been greatly strengthened as a result of Mr Hayes’ contribution to industry.
He was also large responsible for the formation of the former AQIS Halal Consultative Committee (as of yesterday renamed simply Department of Agriculture).
The committee comprises all Australian Halal stakeholders, including the 15 Islamic certifiers operating in Australia, individual processors, AMIC, AQIS and other government agencies. The committee’s focus is to ensure that Australia’s Halal systems and processes carry the highest integrity in international customers’ eyes.
Mr Hayes worked his way up from the industry grassroots, starting work at Newcastle abattoir before training as a meat inspector. He worked as an inspector at a wide number of plants across Australia from Townsville to Homebush, Dubbo and Portland.
When the organochloride residue controversy broke in the late 1980s, he was called to Canberra to assist with the administration and clearance of product, and the implementation of new testing protocols.
In 1991 he accepted a position as managing director of the Wodonga abattoir and rendering business in Victoria, a position which he continues to hold today, 22 years later.
“John Hayes has been a truly great contributor to the betterment of the industry, and one with significant technical skill and experience,” AMIC processor chairman, David Larkin said.
The Distinguished Australian of the Year was the culmination of a series of awards made during the concluding stages of the 2013 AMIC Meat Industry conference on the Gold Coast last night (19 Sep 2013). Read more on the other awards here.
*This article was published by Beef Central. Read the full article here.