Kangaroos culled by Victorian government set for human consumption

Skippy will soon be on the menu in Victoria after thousands of kangaroos shot as part of a pest culling program are set to be sold as food.

The Kangaroo Harvesting Program, which previously used meat for pet food, will now process the meat for humans. Picture: Hamish Blair

Animal activist group PETA has slammed the Victorian Government as being “cruel” for allowing kangaroos to be shot for food.

Kangaroos shot as part of a Victorian pest program will now be sold for human consumption.

The move has sparked outrage among animal activists with PETA spokesperson Emily Rice hitting out at the government’s plan.

“It’s ridiculous that only one year since we mourned the loss of a large portion of our wildlife, people are now moving to slaughter and eat a species of native animal – and risking their health to do so,” she said.

“Kangaroos sourced from an uncontrolled, unhygienic environment – which their natural habitat certainly is – can also put consumers at risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.

“To bolster this cruel trade while we are still battling a deadly virus born of the consumption of wild animals is unconscionable. Besides, kangaroo, cow, or chicken – no amount of economic gain can change the fact that eating any animal is simply wrong.”

The Andrews government announced the Kangaroo Harvesting Program, which previously used the meat for pet food would be expanded in 2021 with carcasses processed into meat for humans.

It comes as Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas also announced the kill quota for the program would increase with a notable rise of kangaroos in Victoria in the past three years.

For 2021 up to 95,680 kangaroos will be culled – up by 37,780.

The extra meat, which is considered an “environmentally friendly protein”, will be made available to consumers.

“The changes to how products generated from the Kangaroo Harvesting Program can be used gives more options to harvesters and processors to make use of these animals and reduce waste – and create more jobs in country towns,” Ms Thomas said.

“It’s important that kangaroo numbers are sustainably managed in Victoria to reduce impacts on landholders and the community. This program provides a service to farmers and an income to trained professional shooters.”

It is hoped the move will create growth opportunities for 100 regional businesses with the meat to be sold domestically and interest from overseas markets in the kangaroos skins.

However, animal activists have previously attempted to stop culls outraged by the program.

Since October 2019, 86 harvesters and five meat processors have taken part in the pet-food-only program, with many calling for changes that allow processing for human consumption to support jobs in country communities.

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