Brooklands Free Range Farms & Larder Mouse Farm market stalls. Picture supplied
Victorian paddock to plate producers generally, and our members Brooklands Free Range Farms and Larder Mouse Farm, have been left stunned by the decision of Hardwicks abattoir in Kyneton to stop processing small consignments of cattle and sheep effectively closing off processing options for smaller producers. Just one month’s notice of the change was given.
The impacts will be felt not just by the small-scale livestock farmers but their customers, local butchers and restauranteurs, for whom low food miles and food provenance are key. Food sovereignty and choice is under threat and the situation is occurring across the country to small beef, lamb, pork, goat and chicken producers.
The, Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance, which represents farmers who support locally based sustainable food systems, jumped into action highlighting the implications of the disappearance of small-scale livestock farmers.They have highlighted a range of immediate and longer-term initiatives state and federal governments could take, and urged people to sign the petitions currently live in Victoria and Tasmania and those coming for every state in the nation. They have also compiled a list of critical resources for communities.
