The MAV has backed the push for Victorian kangaroo carcasses being used as food.
SOUTHERN Grampians Shire’s push to allow the commercial harvesting of wild kangaroos for human consumption has the backing of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV).
The MAV yesterday voted at its state council meeting to lobby the state government on behalf of council’s around Victoria.
Southern Grampians Shire mayor Bob Penny said the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) was the regulatory body which approved culling permits for native animals.
He said at present the approved permit might say that 20 kangaroos can be killed and 80kg of the carcasses can be used for personal use.
“That’s about two kangaroos,” he said. “The remaining 18 kangaroos are left to rot on the ground.”
Cr Penny said the carcasses left on the ground were an environmental health problem but allowing controlled commercial culling would improve economic development in rural areas.
“We’re wanting to see the carcasses are better used,” he said. “I think it’s very worthwhile. This would also create new businesses and jobs.”
MAV president Bill McArthur said the proposal had been supported by the majority of municipalities.
“The proposal is not to increase the number of kangaroos killed but rather where they are left on the ground to make use of the carcass,” he said.
“It’s part of the economical development of some of our rural councils. We will have a conversation with the state government. It does have our members’ support.”
All kangaroo meat sold in Victoria is sourced mostly from Queensland and New South Wales and the commercial use of culled kangaroos in Victoria is banned.
