Victorian abattoirs permitted to increase capacity as case numbers ease

Almost two months after Victorian meatworks were forced to cut their workforces by a third, workforce caps have been lifted to varying degrees in regional Victoria and Melbourne — in a move welcomed as “about time”.

The JBS abattoir in the Melbourne suburb of Brooklyn was hit by a coronavirus outbreak in July. Meatworks in both metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria can increase their workforce capacity from today. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Wayne Taylor

VICTORIAN abattoirs can increase their workforces from today, as caps on staff numbers are lifted just in time for the spring flush.

The state’s meat, chicken and seafood processors were forced to cut their workforces by a third almost two months ago, under tough restrictions introduced by the Victorian Government to stem the coronavirus pandemic.

From today, however, regional meatworks can increase to 90 per cent workforce capacity. Metropolitan meatworks will be able to increase to between 80 and 90 per cent.

It means abattoirs will be able to boost staff numbers ahead of the lamb season, locking in higher throughput during one of the sector’s busiest periods.

Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive Patrick Hutchinson said there had been growing concerns about livestock supply chain blockages and workers being in limbo, if the restrictions had continued.

“The announcement eases those concerns but we are not at 100 per cent yet, so there will remain impacts on the supply chain from processors, wholesalers, cold store, independent local butchers and even supermarkets,” he said in a statement.

Mr Hutchinson said industry would continue working with the Government around other restrictions, such as COVID-19 testing and on-site safety management.

The State Government has said meat and seafood processing would remain under restrictions until November 23, according to the current road map.

Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochincke was “about time” the restrictions were eased, after months of discussions with the Government’s agriculture and health departments.

“We’re happy the right result finally occurred,” he said.

At the peak of the second wave, 14 processors in Victoria had been hit with coronavirus outbreaks since July, with more than 800 cases linked to the sites. 

Some in industry have warned the lifting of restrictions may have come too late, with several meatworks reporting stood-down migrant workers have already left to find new employment, prompting concern there might not be enough people to fill vacancies.