VICTORIA’S first batch of locally-grown kangaroo meat for human consumption rolled off Camperdown’s Castle Estate abattoir’s processing line on Monday.

Until now the state’s only registered abattoir to process culled kangaroos was forced to bring in carcasses from interstate.

But as The Weekly Times reported last month, the Government has lifted the ban on the state’s roos being processed for human consumption and look for opportunities to export skins.

“The changes to how products generated from the kangaroo harvesting program can be used gives more options to harvesters and processors to make use of these animals and reduce waste — and create more jobs in country towns,” Victorian Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.

Steven Castle, who owns the Camperdown plant, said the decision meant he could now source all his kangaroo carcasses from Victoria’s registered harvesters.

“(We) don’t anticipate bringing roos in from outside Victoria (from here on),” Mr Castle said. “I’ll be branding it as Victorian Harvested Kangaroo.”

The shift to processing Victorian roos for human consumption not only delivers a clean, lean source of protein at a time of record beef prices, it adds value to a meat that until now could only be used for pet food.

Last year shooters earned $1.25/kg (dressed weight) for roos, averaging 25kg, to pet food processors, with consumers paying $6-$7/kg for the minced meat.

In contrast prime kangaroo for human consumption ranges from $12/kg for mince, through to $22/kg for steaks.

Only trained professional shooters authorised through the harvesting program, who meet strict health and safety measures, are able to supply kangaroos to abattoirs for human consumption.

Harvesters must abide by the national code of practice for the humane shooting of kangaroos and wallabies for commercial purposes.

Their vehicles and cool rooms must also be accredited through PrimeSafe.

Since October 2019, 86 harvesters and five meat processors have taken part in the pet-food-only program, with many calling for changes that allow processing for human consumption to support jobs in country communities.

https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/victoria/kangaroo-meat-first-victoriangrown-roo-processed-for-human-consumption/news-story/a809b4ec1145e8d4f233cb66f2c39f3a

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