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www.porknews.com.au Australian Pork Newspaper, March 2025 %u2013 Page 19abattoir processing less than 2000 animals a year, waste is easily dealt with on-farm and transport in and out is low.%u201cIt%u2019s no more than what we%u2019d be transporting out to a saleyard now.%u201dMr Chapman said the AFSA wants NSW to follow the same legislation South Australia applies to micro abattoirs.%u201cSouth Australia allows micro abattoirs to be built on farms without approval,%u201d he said.%u201cThey%u2019re classified as rural industry and, as long as it%u2019s not the primary purpose of land, you can go ahead.%u201cSo that%u2019s what we want.%u201cWe want to be able to say%u2026 OK, we%u2019re on rural land.%u201cIt%u2019s a secondary operation to our main grazing and meat production, but for us, it%u2019s an essential part of our meat supply chain in being able to supply meat locally to our consumers within our region.%u201dThe AFSA is also asking for the application of %u2018field harvest%u2019 standards to domestic livestock, enabling them to be slaughtered on farm, chilled and inspected, and subsequently transferred to a licensed butcher for processing %u2013 as occurs in the game industry, as well as funding for appropriate training and accreditation for producers and workers throughout the supply chain, including meat inspection.Need for choiceSheep and cattle farmer John Monaghan is leading the charge for a micro abattoir at Dungog.Mr Monaghan has spent the past six years shifting to a regenerative farming model and has been successfully earning carbon credits through a carbon project on his farm.He still sells some livestock through the saleyard, but is moving more toward direct sales.%u201cIf you%u2019re going to make money out of small-scale farms, you%u2019ve got to value add your product,%u2019 Mr Monaghan said.Adding that there were a growing number of small-scale livestock farms in the region in a similar situation, but that there was uncertainty about continuing access to abattoir and butchering services.He and a group of other producers have proposed to build a micro abattoir that can handle approximately 1200 cattle, 500 sheep and 200 pigs a year.A local landholder has agreed to have the facility on her property and a farmer cooperative will run it.Mr Monaghan said they envisage the abattoir will handle slaughter, boning and packaging and will have six full-time employees.The group is preparing to submit a development application to the council and, if successful, hopes to have the abattoir up and running within 18 months.Mr Monaghan said they don%u2019t oppose large abattoirs or their continuing role in the provision of boxed products to the retail market but see the need for choice from a farmer%u2019s, retailer%u2019s and customer%u2019s perspective.%u201cI am seeing a growing market for farm products that satisfy customers%u2019 concerns with farming practices, animal welfare, traceability and nutrient content, and I believe that access to micro abattoirs is a critical factor in the supply of this market.%u201d Muswellbrook ChronicleSmall-scale livestock producers push for more micro abattoirsBEC Feed Solutions offers an unparalleled range of animal nutritionsolutions, designed, sourced and blended to support ourcustomer%u2019s needs.We manufacture and supply nutritional premixes, feedingredients, additives and stock feed commodities, aswell as providing our customers with technical support.Phone 1300 884 593or visitwww.becfeed.comJohn Monaghan is part of a group of farmers in Dungog planning to build a micro abattoir. Photo: Angus MichieNew England beef and lamb producer Glen Chapman.* from P18