Support small scale Tasmanian meat processors

The petition of the undersigned Citizens of Tasmania draws to the attention of the House that the business of meat processing in Tasmania has become concentrated among a small number of large-scale operations, resulting in:

• More stress and cases of poor treatment of animals, which also leads to lower quality meat;

• Environmental impacts including increased greenhouse gas emissions, higher "food miles", and less sustainable waste disposal; and

• Impacts on regional communities including loss of local jobs, skills and small farms, as well as reduced "paddock to plate" tourism and hospitality opportunities.

Your petitioners request the House to call upon the Government to:

1.      Introduce legislation to facilitate and encourage best practice on-farm, local and regional slaughter, meat processing and waste disposal;

2.      Invest authority for development approvals and operational oversight of relevant facilities in the Chief Meat Inspector; and

3.      Fund appropriate training and accreditation for producers and workers throughout the supply chain.