The reputation of Tasmania's meat industry has been dealt another blow with the likely closure of Queensland wholesaler Melrose Meats.
The nationally renowned supplier of Tasmanian lamb is in administration as a direct casualty of the Liberal Government's incompetent handling of the closure of the JBS abattoir in Devonport.
Labor Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Shane Broad, said Will Hodgman had refused to listen to the concerns of Melrose Meats and others about the loss of the Devonport facility.
"Despite the Liberals assuring Tasmanian farmers that everything is fine, Tasmania has now lost a buyer of 50,000 lambs a year due to a lack of a suitable abattoir," Dr Broad said.
"Labor has been warning for some time that processing Tasmanian lambs in Victoria is not a sustainable solution and risks undermining the Tasmanian brand. Those fears have sadly been confirmed.
"Melrose has a proud 136 year history and has won numerous awards for its premier product, Tasmanian Royal Lamb.
"Will Hodgman's refusal to lift a finger to support Tasmanian farmers could send 136 years of history down the tube."
Shane Broad MP
Labor Shadow Minister for Primary Industries
