MEDIA RELEASE
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
30 October 2024 (Australia)
The Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA) has committed to ongoing support for smallholders as loss of access to critical infrastructure continues nationwide. From abattoirs and boning rooms to grain mills and dairy processing facilities, the gradual but accelerating decline of processing infrastructure has been a focal issue at AFSA’s annual Food Sovereignty Convergence and has now drawn broader attention following recent ABC reports.
In response to the mounting challenges, AFSA members across Australia are forming Meat Collectives to establish micro-abattoirs, aiming to counter the takeover of industrial abattoirs by multinational corporations. These acquisitions are increasingly shutting out smallholders, who depend on facilities for custom or service kills. Through its annual Food Sovereignty Convergence Declaration, AFSA has pledged sustained support to these collectives, including the appointment of State Focal Points to work with government bodies and advocate for changes in planning laws that would support smallholders to build micro-abattoirs.
At the annual Convergence, held on Djiringanj Country (Bermagui, NSW) on October 18-19, AFSA members gathered after a series of dialogues with farmers across Queensland, New South Wales, and the ACT. Across all regions, farmers raised concerns over losing access to critical infrastructure, which hampers their ability to supply local communities. AFSA’s Focal Point for Farmers Tammi Jonas emphasised the urgency of focusing on infrastructure, land, labour, and policy reform to safeguard local food production.
“We’ve visited 10 different communities along the east coast in recent weeks, and while the climates and governments vary, one thing remains constant: every farmer we spoke to cited the loss of infrastructure as a significant barrier to feeding their communities,” says Jonas.
A recent ABC report highlighted the industry consolidation that poses threats to smallholders, citing IBIS World research showing that the largest players, JBS Australia, Thomas Food International, and Teys Australia, now control 44% of Australia’s meat processing industry. “The consolidation of infrastructure like abattoirs and boning rooms is a massive blow to smallholders who rely on these facilities. It’s happening in Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia. That’s why AFSA is helping establish Meat Collectives across the country, led by State Focal Points, to collaborate with governments in amending planning laws that would enable farmers to build community micro-abattoirs and keep local food production viable,” Jonas continued.
At the Agroecology Roadshow dialogues and Food Sovereignty Convergence, Jonas also shared her personal experience of building a micro-abattoir at Jonai Farms & Meatsmith, which has received council approval and is scheduled for completion in 2025.
“With smallholders being rapidly shut out from abattoir access, often without warning, we are sharing our story to encourage others to take control of their food systems by producing, processing, and distributing meat on their own terms,” adds Jonas.
While local Meat Collectives take shape with support from AFSA, the organisation is also calling on state governments to provide immediate, short-term support for smallholders to ensure they have access to abattoirs. This call follows a small win by AFSA members in Western Australia, who have been granted a six month extension to the DBC abattoir after the announcement that it will be closing its doors to smallholders earlier this year.
-ENDS-
Contact:
For AFSA enquiries:
- Jessie Power, AFSA General Coordinator
- m: 0403 795 670
- e: coordinator@afsa.org.au
For media enquiries:
- Tammi Jonas, AFSA Focal Point for Farmers
- m: 0422 429 362
- e: farmers@afsa.org.au