Workforce limits on Victorian meat processors must be immediately increased with the appropriate safety precautions to ensure industry can keep up with growing consumer demand.
The industry fears it won’t be able to keep up during peak spring season and in the lead up to Christmas if it continues to be restricted to two-thirds of its workforce.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh said today’s reports the Andrews Labor Government is finally considering lifting the limit were overdue and must be acted on immediately.
“Our businesses and regional economies have taken an absolute walloping in this pandemic under harsh restrictions that were designed to contain outbreaks in Melbourne,” Mr Walsh said.
“As case numbers continue to fall, the Liberal Nationals have been working closely with essential industries in the food supply chain to pressure the Andrews Labor Government to wind back its workforce limits.
“With just one active case in our state’s abattoirs, there’s no reason for Daniel Andrews to delay safe increases to allow workers back into the workplace to fix problems holding back the food supply chain.
“It’s in processors’ best interests to have comprehensive COVID safe plans so we don’t see harsh shutdowns return.
“Our farmers are producing enough food to feed our state.
“Daniel Andrews’ stubborn refusal to apply sensible changes to restrictions on industry is just another reason Victorians have lost confidence in the Premier and his Labor Government.”
