The Australian Meat Industry Council welcomes the announcement that workforce capacity restrictions have been removed for the meat processing sector from 11:59pm Sunday 8 November 2020.

AMIC acknowledges the hard work and response from our meat manufacturing members to ensure a COVIDSafe workplace, as well as the efforts of the Victorian public to bring this community virus under control.

“This has been a challenging and difficult time and we are pleased with this outcome,” said AMIC CEO Patrick Hutchinson.

“It is down to the diligence and responsiveness of our meat manufacturing members that we are in this position today, including red meat and pork processors and smallgoods manufacturers.

At this time, Agriculture Victoria advise that all other arrangements for the sector under the High-Risk COVIDSafe plans, and surveillance testing, remain in place.

“We still have some final issues to address and AMIC continues to work with the Victorian government on these, including the monthly testing measures remaining, and how and when this burden on our industry can be reduced,“ said Mr Hutchinson.

“This announcement comes at the best possible time, particularly with the current spring lamb flush in Victoria, being able to access livestock in other states, and the ability for smallgoods manufacturers to get into the full swing of Christmas production.

“Thank you to Victorian Agriculture Minister, Jaclyn Symes, for her support and tenacity in always backing our members, be they red meat processors, pork processors, smallgoods manufacturers or wholesalers.”