Between 10 and 12 employees were working at the abattoir. Today's Horsham cattle sale numbers have halved as a result of the abattoir closure. The Van Dyks own Horsham Abattoirs and leased them to Peter Boak at the start of January.

Dominic and John Van Dyk said there was `a technicality of the licence transfer to the new business operator' which resulted in the abattoir stopping work.

"We're currently in negotiation with PrimeSafe to have that issue resolved," the Van Dyks said. "Work was being done in alliance with PrimeSafe regulations. "We'll start again as soon as possible. As soon as the licensing technicality is resolved."

The operators said the abattoir was a considerable employer of Wimmera people and was a good service for the region. "We need to keep it going for that," the Van Dyks said. PrimeSafe chief executive Brian Casey said Dominic Van Dyk relinquished his licence. "If you wish to operate an abattoir you do so under the Meat Industry Act," Mr Casey said. "What I can tell you is, Dominic Van Dyk was licensed to his company and he relinquished that licence on Thursday. "PrimeSafe didn't ask Dominic Van Dyk, he relinquished." Mr Casey said two PrimeSafe representatives were in Horsham on Friday to inspect meat that had been processed at Horsham Abattoirs.

"The product was cleared to be released," Mr Casey said. "What happens now is if anyone wishes to make applications it's up for them to do so. "It applies to Horsham Abattoirs or anyone else. Anyone is free to make applications for a licence in accordance with the Meat Industry Act." Lessee Mr Boak said the Van Dyks withdrew their licence because of a technical issue where Dominic Van Dyk held the meat processing licence but wasn't operating the abattoir."But he was helping me," Mr Boak said. "He signed off on quality assurance and he was involved in running the place."

The closure of Horsham Abattoirs will half the number of cattle at Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange's sale today. Driscoll, McIllree and Dickinson stock salesman Phil Norman said Mr John Van Dyk called him yesterday morning to say he would not be able to buy cattle at the sale. "John Van Dyk was good enough to tell us he would not be buying," Mr Norman said. "He would normally buy 20 to 25 head of cattle every fortnight. There will be about 30 head of cattle in today's sale. Mr Norman said normally there would be between 60 and 80 head. "The abattoir is very handy for local people," he said. "We don't want to see it close down, it's a very good industry for the town."