Mr WOOD - 2006-11-28
Humpty Doo butchers sell buffalo and other meats produced locally that are processed at the abattoir at the Darwin Piggery. Mr Greg Cooling from Dundee Downs processes pigs through that same abattoir. With the closure of the Darwin Piggery next year, it is likely that the abattoir will also close. Does your government support local producers of buffalo, pig, beef and other animals? What is your government doing to make sure the abattoir stays open so that these small livestock producers can continue to operate?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I understand the owner of the Darwin Piggery and abattoir, Mr Karl Mortensen, put his business up for sale about 12 months ago. A number of potential buyers have visited the site and they have included domestic and international inquiries referred by the Northern Territory government. It is my understanding that there has been no serious interest in purchasing and operating the business, or the piggery or the abattoir.
I might be at odds with you on this point, member for Nelson, but it is not the role of government to take over the running of a commercial abattoir. Private enterprise is best placed to operate such a facility. I can say that this government has a solid track record in supporting our primary industries.
In encouraging private sector investment in abattoirs, this government has commissioned a report for the evaluation of the feasibility of establishing in the Northern Territory a multi-species abattoir. This report, for the first time, pulls together all of the necessary information required by a commercial abattoir in considering an operation investment in the abattoir here in the Territory. The report concludes that many multi-species export accreditation abattoirs could be viable, and highlights key issues to be considered by any investor.
Copies of the report have been provided to a range of potential investors. We will continue to promote opportunities for the private sector to invest in abattoir facilities in the Northern Territory. My department will continue to work with any local interest in providing expert advice in complying with the food safety legislation. Should they seek to establish a small abattoir facility here in the Territory, that advice will be available.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. I understand the owner of the Darwin Piggery and abattoir, Mr Karl Mortensen, put his business up for sale about 12 months ago. A number of potential buyers have visited the site and they have included domestic and international inquiries referred by the Northern Territory government. It is my understanding that there has been no serious interest in purchasing and operating the business, or the piggery or the abattoir.
I might be at odds with you on this point, member for Nelson, but it is not the role of government to take over the running of a commercial abattoir. Private enterprise is best placed to operate such a facility. I can say that this government has a solid track record in supporting our primary industries.
In encouraging private sector investment in abattoirs, this government has commissioned a report for the evaluation of the feasibility of establishing in the Northern Territory a multi-species abattoir. This report, for the first time, pulls together all of the necessary information required by a commercial abattoir in considering an operation investment in the abattoir here in the Territory. The report concludes that many multi-species export accreditation abattoirs could be viable, and highlights key issues to be considered by any investor.
Copies of the report have been provided to a range of potential investors. We will continue to promote opportunities for the private sector to invest in abattoir facilities in the Northern Territory. My department will continue to work with any local interest in providing expert advice in complying with the food safety legislation. Should they seek to establish a small abattoir facility here in the Territory, that advice will be available.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016