SYKES SERVES BUTCHERS’ BEEF TO PARLIAMENT

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has called on the Bracks Government to liaise with PrimeSafe Victoria to grant country butchers an exemption from impending laws which require all wholesale meat products to be delivered in refrigerated vehicles.

Speaking in Parliament, Dr Sykes highlighted the butchers’ concerns in a question to Minister for Agriculture, Bob Cameron.

“Country butchers are concerned about costs of up to $6000 to provide refrigerated containers to transport meat to wholesale customers,” Dr Sykes said.

The new standard states that by July 1 next year all vehicles which transport meat for wholesale deliveries must be refrigerated. Currently, butchers are required to deliver meat to wholesale customers at a temperature of five degrees or below in approved insulated containers.

Dr Sykes is supporting an amendment to the standard to give butchers greater flexibility when safely delivering meat products.

“Flexibility already exists in New South Wales for butchers which allow them to deliver meat at the required temperature within a specified distance from their store.

“We are talking about the deliveries to local pubs, clubs and restaurants, which in the majority of cases, are just around the corner from the butcher.

“The feedback I am getting from butchers in my electorate is that the new regulations will result in job losses and could even force some smaller businesses to close.”

Dr Sykes cautiously welcomed the Minister Cameron’s response to his request.

“Mr Cameron believes that the PrimeSafe requirements for refrigeration can be met at a cost of $700.

“I have agreed to work with the Minister to explore this option and accordingly the Minister has left the door open to provide an exemption for country butchers as applies in NSW.

“At the end of the day we can not gamble with food safety, but common sense must prevail and if food safety can be guaranteed by current requirements, why impose expensive changes to the rules – if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989