AFTER months of uncertainty, the state government’s kangaroo pet food trial will continue for at least one more year.
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Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio announced on Friday that the program to process culled kangaroo meat for pet food would continue until March 31, 2019.
The announcement came one day before the program was due to end on March 31.
The trial first began in 2014 as a way to reduce waste of kangaroo carcasses.
It was extended for a further two years in 2016, with an end date of March 2018.
The program allows permit holders in 16 local government areas – including the Horsham Rural City, Yarriambiack, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians and West Wimmera municipalities – to cull or remove kangaroos off private land for commercial processing.
With an estimated 1.4 million kangaroos in Victoria, Ms D’Ambrosio said the one year extension would allow the state government to re-assess whether the trial was sustainable for Victoria’s kangaroo population.
“The extension will give us time to learn more about what’s working and what isn’t,” she said.
In February, The Nationals promised to make the trial permanent and expand it to all rural and regional local government areas if elected at this year’s state election.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said a permanent trial would stop waste and help boost the local food processing industry by securing jobs.
“Kangaroos cause a lot of damage to properties, our native flora and fauna, and vehicles,” Ms Kealy said.
“The program finds another purpose for these usable resources that would have otherwise been left to rot.
“It also helps provide job opportunities for farmers with workplace injuries, they have been able to re-enter the workforce.”
She said the state government “stuffed people around” by announcing the trial’s continuation only days before the deadline.
“To make the announcement after hours and just before a long weekend meant there was uncertainty for the entire industry,” she said.
“It put an enormous amount of jobs at risk and was indicative of Labor fearing they could lose the green vote.
“The other thing to note is that this is only a one-year extension which means that the uncertainly won’t end for the people who rely on this industry.”
Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock president Leonard Vallance said the group welcomed the extension of the trial but wanted the government to commit to a long-term plan.
“Announcing it on the last day of the trial was silly; people’s jobs and livelihoods were at stake,” Mr Vallance said.
“Rural people want and deserve some certainty.”
Mr Vallance said the trial was greatly supported by the state’s agriculture community.
“Prior to the trial, kangaroos were shot and left to rot; this way we can utilise a source of protein for pet food,” he said.
“It reduces disease spread and feeding sources for feral animals.
“The program is tightly regulated and monitored by the department.
“If the population is getting too low in one area, then the shooters are moved somewhere else.
“Professional shooters are used so animals are killed at industry standards.”