Support Needed for Small-Scale Livestock Farmers

The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, is calling for immediate action to support small-scale livestock farmers in regional Victoria who are struggling to access abattoir services.

Following the announcement that a major commercial abattoir in the region will no longer accept small service kills, numerous farmers in the Euroa electorate have voiced concerns about their ability to process their livestock.

With no alternative local options available, these farmers now face the challenge of finding distant facilities that are often costly and logistically difficult to access.

In response, Ms Cleeland met with the Minister for Agriculture to discuss the issue and advocate for greater support for local farmers.

“These farmers are now being forced to travel further to get their animals processed, putting significant pressure on the economic viability of their businesses at a time when they can least afford it,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Small-scale farmers are essential to both our food supply and local economies. However, without reliable access to processing services, their businesses will struggle to survive.”

Ms Cleeland has urged the Minister to take decisive action to protect these farmers, including reviewing and amending current regulations to make it easier for mobile and micro-abattoirs to operate in regional areas.

Ms Cleeland said this change would provide much-needed relief for farmers who rely on local, accessible processing facilities.

“I’ve asked the Minister to prioritise the protection of these farmers by ensuring regulations are updated to support smaller-scale abattoirs,” Ms Cleeland said.

“By making it easier for mobile and micro-abattoirs to operate, we can help improve access and ensure the continued success of small-scale livestock farming in our region.”