Enthusiasm is growing for a small scale meat processor to establish on Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island lamb farmer Andy Gilfillan is backing calls for an abattoir on the island, saying it will help close the gap with mainland producers.

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Kangaroo Island needs a small-scale meat processor to ensure animals are stress-free and to cut freight costs, lamb farmer Andy Gilfillan says.

The owner of South Rock Lambs says the Ghan and Southern Ocean Lodge are two major high-end buyers of his meat, so he understands the importance of providing a premium product.

“There's enormous enthusiasm for the island graziers to have a local process facility,” he said.

Mr Gilfillan believed an artisan meat processor would add further value to the island’s $87 million agricultural industry and its renowned food and wine offering.

“If South Rock Lamb is processed on the island, we would step up another notch,” he said.

“If sheep don’t have to jump on a truck, be loaded onto a boat and travel all those kilometres to the meatworks, they’re less stressed.”

Farmer Andy Gilfillan with his dog, Spark at his farm on Kangaroo Island. Picture: Matt Loxton

The last abattoir, which was a mutton export facility near Kingscote, closed in 2003 due to seasonal supply shortages.

Mr Gilfillan said a meat processor would eliminate ferry reliability issues and reduce freight costs, but he said graziers understood higher prices were a part of farming on the island.

“It’s something many of us accept and don’t have major issues with,” he said.

“If you compare our rainfall to elsewhere in Australia you’re going to be able to buy cheaper land here, which in a lot of ways offsets the expenses.”

The former Mawson state Liberal candidate said graziers paid about $3000 a truckload to freight sheep to mainland abattoirs.

A study in 2010 found the 16km watergap made transportation nearly four times more expensive for primary producers.

The State Government is investigating the demand for an artisan meat processor on the island, while Mayo Liberal candidate Georgina Downer and Mayo MP Rebekah Sharkie have both previously supported the idea. Community consultation on the proposal, which investigated using an existing accredited facility or establishing a mobile meat processor, closed at the end of last year.

The State Government could not say when the outcomes would be known.