MEAT producers can rest easy after the acquisition of the Metro Meats abattoirs at Katanning and Linley Valley by the producer-owned WA Meat Marketing Cooperative.
WA Farmers Federation meat section president Barry Bell said producers could have peace of mind that the future ownership of the two abattoirs appeared settled.
Mr Bell said the cooperative could now direct its efforts to expanding lucrative markets in the European Union.
“The acquisition of the beef chain at Linley Valley holds exciting prospects for WA beef producers,” he said.
Mr Bell said WA’s dwindling sheep flocks were an immediate issue facing the coop.
Currently WA is turning off about eight million to nine million sheep per year.
It is estimated the three major export sheepmeat works, domestic producers and the live export trade will require between 11 million and 12 million sheep annually to remain competitive in the future.
“It is important we promote steady growth in the whole sheep meat industry,” Mr Bell said.
“The opportunities do not just end with lamb. We must be given time to develop markets for sheepmeat products,” he said.
