Arabic version: الجزارون يحثّون على دعم منتجي لحوم الأبقار في تسمانيا

According to ABC News, Tasmanian butchers are backing local suppliers after Woolworths decided to stop selling Tasmanian beef. Suppliers said they were told last week that the supermarket would cease selling the product in stores because production and Bass Strait shipping costs were rising. Woolworths is expected to continue selling Tasmanian beef until the end of the year.

Launceston butcher Rob Perry said the decision was a blow to farmers but could encourage consumers and businesses to buy more local produce. The Casalinga Gourmet Meats owner said he had never been short of Tasmanian beef supply and would increase his focus on buying and selling it. “At the end of the day, we need to keep these producers alive,” he said.

Mr Perry said his business was seeking premium product on a consistent basis and was prepared to pay for it. He also called for more meat carters and working abattoirs so product could move through the supply chain. He said butchers and others in the meat industry should promote local products.

Sprout Tasmania chief executive Jennifer Robinson said she was “gutted” by Woolworths’ decision. She said farmers needed choices and access to markets, but those wanting to process animals and sell meat under their own brands faced a shortage of service-kill processing facilities. Much of the beef sold in Tasmania is processed on the mainland.

Liberal MP Nick Duigan described Bass Strait freight as a substantial barrier for Tasmanian businesses and called for the federal government to release its review of the Freight Equalisation Scheme. He said the state government would approach TasFarmers about conversations with Woolworths. The ABC understands Woolworths does not access the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme.