The Hodgman Liberal Government moved to strengthen Tasmania’s red meat industry in the wake of JBS Swift vacating the Devonport City Abattoir last year by setting up the Tasmanian Meat Industry Working Group’s (TMIWG).
Today I can announce that Meridian Agriculture will undertake a feasibility study to identify ways to improve commercially viable on-island processing options.
The feasibility study is a crucial component of the Working Group’s strategic advice to Government.
Meridian will gather information from stakeholders across the entire value chain – from producers to processors and retailers, to better understand the needs of the industry in the long term.
The study will examine the economic, market and technical factors influencing meat processing capacity in Tasmania. It will provide valuable information to inform the work of the Working Group and industry in determining future strategies for a sustainable Tasmanian red meat industry.
A strong and competitive meat industry is essential in achieving the Government’s plan to grow the farm gate value of Tasmanian Agriculture to $10 billion by 2050.
Meridian Agriculture has an extensive understanding of the business and agricultural sectors, including the red meat industry, and its consultants have delivered programs both in Tasmania and nationally.
The contract was awarded to Meridian following a competitive procurement process.
The feasibility study report will be presented to the Working Group at the end of April 2019.
More information about the Working Group can be found at: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/agriculture/tasmanian-meat-industry-working-group