Labor has backed the decision of a passionate community meeting last night to set up an independent sale yard on the North West coast.
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Shane Broad said farmers, butchers and the wider livestock industry have taken matters into their own hands after the government failed to act.
“The closure of the historic Quoiba saleyards near Devonport has been a huge blow to the North West Coast and has left Tasmania’s red meat industry at the crossroads.
“Despite calls from the Cradle Coast Authority and from Labor for government intervention, the Liberals stood by and did nothing while another key livestock industry asset shut down.
“The Quoiba closure meant farmers had to spend more money and time on the road to transport or buy stock.
“The loss of the Quoiba sale yard also saw the end of an important event that brought locals together and was part of the social fabric of our communities.
“Fed up with the lack of any government action, farmers have taken matters into their own hands. Last night’s capacity crowd of more than 200 passionate members of the livestock industry voted unanimously to create a new community-run sale yard for the North West coast.
“These farmers have been abandoned by the State Government and they have Labor’s support as they put in place their own solution.
“If the government won’t step in and help, Labor backs this bold move by the livestock industry not only for their sake, but for the sake of the North West Coast community.”
Shane Broad
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries
