BALLARAT butchers say they are well stocked with meat, despite the flagged reduced capacity of the state's abattoirs due to new COVID-19 restrictions.
While butchers across the city who spoke to The Courier on Tuesday are reporting busy trade, all are saying that they remain well stocked for meat, although some are experiencing some delays with orders arriving.
John Harbour Quality Butcher in Soldiers Hill said at this stage, there had been no issues with stock.
"We've had a delivery arrive today which took a little bit longer, but I think that is due to the fact there are less staff at the moment loading the trucks, so it's taking a bit longer than usual, but right now we don't anticipate any issues," a spokesperson said.
"It may be something that occurs down the track, but right now we're fine."
A spokesperson at Weightman's Meats in Humffray Street East expressed similar sentiments, saying that while business had been steady, right now there were no issues relating to supply.
New abattoir rules which will come into place from midnight Friday, mean meat workers will have to wear full personal protective equipment, including gloves, gowns, masks and shields. Employees will also have to work split shifts and not be allowed to travel to different sites.
"We know that meatworks are a really significant challenge for us, whether it be lamb, poultry, or beef," Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday.
It is understood new restrictions will lead to a 30 per cent reduction in the supply chain across the state, Ballarat Stock and Station Agents Association President Sean Simpson said it was still to be defined what 30 per cent meant.
"Everyone is waiting for a bit lot of clarity around people and spacing. For example, if you are splitting shifts,, is there an opportunity to operate 7 days a week, instead of 5?
"Based on the 30 per cent rule, do you go down from 5500 lambs to 3000 lambs, when they say capacity is it a reduced capacity of lambs or workforce?"
There are about 56 livestock and poultry abattoirs in Victoria, although none are based in the Ballarat region, the closest being at Colac while the largest meat works in the state is at Brooklyn.
Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said "We'll work with meat processors statewide between now and Friday night to introduce further measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 as much as we can".
Mr Simpson said it was fortunate in someways that he lockdown had occurred at a traditionally quiet time of the year.
"The market hasn't crashed. There hasn't been panic selling, but there is a lot of activity at the butchers, we've definitely seen that," he said. "We've just got to wait and see.
"Hopefully we can get through, the abattoirs can have their cleans and get their staff healthy and back into the marketplace so we are right by spring."
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