Labor has backed a call by the Cradle Coast Authority for the state government to intervene in the Quoiba saleyard closure.
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Shane Broad said Guy Barnett must convene an urgent meeting of stakeholders to discuss alternatives.
“The CCA represents the nine north-west councils in Tasmania’s farming heartland and understands the closure would be a major blow for the region.
“We know that Quoiba shutting will mean farmers will have to pay more to transport their stock to sale, they will spend the whole day travelling if they want to buy any stock and butchers will struggle to buy locally. “
Dr Broad said the sale days are an institution on the north-west coast.
“The impact of the saleyard closure goes far beyond the trading of livestock, as the weekly sales are often the only social contact many farmers have with each other.
“Regular community events like sale days are important to the social fabric of our communities and the economic consequences of the decision to close the Quoiba saleyards will have a big local impact.
“This community, and in particular farmers, have been dudded by the Liberals’ lack of action.”
Dr Broad called on Guy Barnett to act quickly to bring together key parties, including Roberts Livestock, the CCA Regional Economic Development Steering Group, and representatives of local government to explore alternatives to the closure of the Quoiba saleyard.
“Despite the Liberals’ ‘nothing to see here’ approach, this is an entirely predictable outcome of their lack of action over the Devonport City Abattoir shut down a little over a year ago.
“The Government needs to step in and take action rather than standing by and watching yet another key livestock industry asset close.”
Shane Broad
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries
