Tasmanian farmers and businesses that rely on up-to-date intelligence on the future scale of sheep and cattle killing in the state’s abattoirs say they have been deserted by the State Government, which has withdrawn administrative support for the forecasts.
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A group called the Slaughter Forecast Committee, composed of stock agents, shippers, meat processors, producers, the TFGA Meat Council, market analysts and representatives of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, water and Environment (DPIPWE), used to meet regularly to prepare the data on the anticipated kill rates.
It allowed them to plan their own operations.
However, TFGA chief executive Chris Oldfield said today that the committee had last met in November, when its sole function was to determine if the committee had a future.
“There was unanimity that it should continue, but the committee has heard nothing from DPIPWE ever since,” he said.
“We have had no follow-up from that meeting and we have had no forecasts since 2008,” he said.
The TFGA said the industry felt deserted.
“Previously this work was done by the late Peter Williams in DPIPWE’s extensive agricultural branch,” Mr Oldfield said.
“His position has not been filled even though the Government was one of the main beneficiaries of the forecasts, using the figures for infrastructure planning and to respond to drought and other crises.”
