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Victorian meat supply at risk after processors overlooked in Andrews Labor government pandemic roadmap

Workforce capacity reduction to give shortage on meat supply during peak season.

By news@gippsland - 22nd September 2021 - Back to News

Lamb, pork and other Christmas meats will be in short supply if the Andrews Labor Government doesn't immediately work with industry to deliver a pathway back to full workforce capacity.

Butchers have been given an excellent opportunity to get back on your feet and increase butchers market share of the fresh meat trade and on the other side the foodservice sector have been crippled by the worldwide pandemic

Heavy on peak period

The Premier slapped metro processors with a 20 per cent reduction in workforce capacity last month, which is expected to weigh heaviest through peak periods in October and December.

Despite the risk to an essential link in Victoria's supply chain, the Andrews Labor Government still hasn't bothered to consult with industry on why the limits were imposed or the thresholds that need to be met for them to be lifted.

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh said every effort must be made to avoid the meat supply chain coming to a standstill.

Potholes without details

Mr Walsh said, "Victoria's 'roadmap' is full of potholes with no detail on what thresholds need to be met to make sure processors will have the workforce to keep up with Christmas demand."

"Meat processors have invested millions of dollars in COVID Safe plans, additional PPE and staff training in COVID-safe practices because they know their livelihoods rely on avoiding an outbreak on the processing floor. Daniel Andrews keeps asking Victorians to do their bit, but then fails to offer a way forward in return." Mr Walsh said.

Worsening workforce shortage

The Australian Meat Industry Council and Sheep Producers Australia have slammed the Andrews Labor Government's lack of consultation with industry. AMIC says 90 per cent of the workforce at some abattoirs is now fully vaccinated, but the Andrews Labor Government had still delivered no light at the end of the tunnel.

On top of the workforce caps, a difficulty getting skilled workers in from interstate and overseas has already left processors about 3500 workers short. "Meat processors need a way forward to make sure they can do their crucial work getting Victorian farmers' high-quality, clean, green products to supermarket shelves and onto Victorian's tables," Mr Walsh said.

"Despite worsening workforce shortages right across Victorian agriculture, Labor's Agriculture Minister is out-of-ideas and missing-in-action. Daniel Andrews and Mary-Anne Thomas must pick up the phone and speak to the industry about what it needs to fix worsening agriculture workforce shortages." Mr Walsh continued.

Pictures from Australian Butcher's Guild Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com