Action by the New South Wales Food Authority has led to the cessation today of slaughtering at an abattoir on the outskirts of Sydney. The location of the abattoir remains undisclosed by the New South Wales Food Authority. The action by the Authority followed its examination of disturbing video footage of acts of gross animal mistreatment. The video had shown the slaughter of sheep, cattle, goats and pigs that allegedly breached the Food Regulation 2010 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act... ...Read more »

Victoria’s meat safety regulator, PrimeSafe, has shut down a Victorian abattoir after it was shown video footage of inappropriate treatment of pigs. The case has prompted calls by animal welfare group Animals Australia for CCTV to be introduced to abattoirs in Australia. Based on the footage it received, PrimeSafe has ordered the L. E. Giles & Sons abattoir, in Trafalgar, Victoria, to cease all operations pending an investigation. In a statement published on its website on 29 November 2011,... ...Read more »

Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett yesterday advised of a $12 million rescue package that will “save every job at the King Island abattoir and ensure the long-term future of the renowned beef brand”. Mr Bartlett said the finalisation of the deal had been a long time coming due to a number of complexities. “I am particularly pleased that we have been able to deliver this community some good news before Christmas,” he said. “My goal was to save every single job and that... ...Read more »

One of Queensland’s biggest pig processors will shut today, with the KR Castlemaine factory closing down in Toowoomba. The 98-year-old abattoir was acquired by George Weston Foods’ subsidiary Don after their purchase of KR Castlemaine (now known as Don KRC). It has been closed due to persistent losses, with the factory reportedly making a loss of around $5 million last year and an expected $6 million this year. Toowoomba Historical Society president Maurice French told the ABC the closure... ...Read more »

Private equity group Harmony Capital has acquired all shares in Western Australia’s largest meat processor, Harvey Beef, from Stark Investments and Elders. The deal, which values the company at around $3.5 million, highlights the troubles faced by the firm since the $27 million purchase by joint venture company Harvey Industries Group just three years ago. In March, financial difficulties saw the struggling firm make 160 workers redundant after a new pay deal could not be reached, with the... ...Read more »

Premier David Bartlett has confirmed the Tasmanian Government and JBS Swift have agreed on terms that will enable the King Island abattoir to re-open today. The abattoir, which processes the Island’s renowned premium beef, had been closed since last week when the owners stood down 100 workers without pay. The State Government has since stepped-in as the company is a major employer on King Island – where the population stands at around 1700. “My immediate focus has always been on... ...Read more »

Harvey Beef, Western Australia’s biggest abattoir, could be forced to shut down after workers rejected a 3 year workplace agreement for the second time yesterday. The first pay deal was rejected earlier this month, with 160 workers since made redundant. 115 employees voted against accepting the agreement, as opposed to 99 in favour, which would have led to a pay cut of up to 20% pay for a third of its workforce, for 3 years. Harvey Beef has since indicated it may have come to an alternative,... ...Read more »

The manager of the Cootamundra abattoir blamed for the recall of lamb products at Woolworths last week has left the company. Woolworths were forced to recall thousands of lamb products last Friday as a precautionary measure due to a strange odour emanating from the product upon opening. The blame was attributed to the GM Scott abbatoir in Cootamundra with some lamb product exposed to vapours from the resurfacing of the floor at the facility. The recall accounted for approximately four per cent of... ...Read more »