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QUEENSLAND'S WILD GAME HARVESTING INDUSTRY

PORKER

Well-known member
Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin

23/01/06


BOOST TO QUEENSLAND'S WILD GAME HARVESTING INDUSTRY

Queensland's growing wild game harvesting industry will gain a further
boost with the appointment of a state-wide industry development officer,
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said in
Charleville today.

Mr Mulherin said the grazing game industries, which included kangaroos
(macropods), camels, emus, and wild pigs, goats and deer,
contributed
more than $50 million to the profitability of regional communities in
the state.

Officially opening United Game Processors new plant at Charleville, Mr
Mulherin said the company's new $8 million kangaroo and wild game
processing works employed 30 local residents.

"The plant is currently geared for processing kangaroo and pig meat for
export to Russia, Europe, Canada and the United States. Current
throughput is about 500 kangaroos a day with plans well advanced to
increase this to 2000 carcasses by early this year. In addition, there
are plans to expand and diversify operations," he said.


Mr Mulherin said the United Game Processors plant complements Western
Exporters major feral goat processing plant in Charleville, and other
wild game processing plants operating in western Queensland at Longreach
and Blackall.

"The impact of increased employment and jobs in the town from this plant
is already being reflected in housing property values and is adding to
an optimistic economic outlook for the region," he said.

Mr Mulherin said kangaroo meat was growing in popularity throughout the
world, with industry sources suggesting a growth rate of 5 per cent a
year for several years.

"Goat and camel are major sources of protein in parts of the Middle East
and Africa, and boar and venison are extremely popular in parts of
Europe," Mr Mulherin said.

"While we already benefit from these markets, I am keen to see real
growth in industries that can make substantial contributions to regional
economies.

"The appointment of a state-wide industry development officer by the
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries will enhance the
long-term viability of the wild game industry," he said.

Mr Mulherin said the industry had already demonstrated its commitment to
the future through the Queensland Macropod and Wild Game Harvesters
Association Inc (QMWGH), located in Charleville.


"The new wild game industry development officer will provide assistance
and advice, and greater liaison between government and industry," he
said.

Mr Mulherin said DPI&F had worked closely with the industry in gaining a
$400,000 Federal Government grant to provide marketing assistance to
western Queensland's wild game harvesters between 2000 and 2003.

"The industry wanted to take more control in the marketing of their
product. They used the grant to develop and implement an industry
strategic plan; to establish a nationally accredited, industry-specific
skills recognition and development program; and to introduce an
innovative paddock-to-plate trace back system."

Mr Mulherin said the wild game industry targeted both export and
domestic markets for skins and meat processed for human and pet food
consumption.

Harvesting of wild game in Queensland is strictly managed according to
the requirements of Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2002 and the
Wild Game Meat Standard (AS4464) provisions, as well as the generic Wild
Game Harvester Food Safety Program.
 
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