The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Chicken Care Program, was set up 15 years ago and has a track record in assisting growers improve environmental and amenity outcomes on farms.
Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford announced the move at the VFF annual chicken meat conference last week.
“We are aware of the challenges facing the chicken meat industry, and of the significant economic contribution it makes to growing rural and regional jobs… That’s why we’re providing $80,000 to support the VFF’s Chicken Care Program to assist our growers improve environmental and amenity outcomes on farms,” Pulford said.
The funding comes off the back of lobbying efforts from the VFF to ensure the chicken meat industry growth strategy is achieved.
The Victorian Chicken Meat Farmers Federation and Victorian Chicken Meat Council (VCMC) have been calling on the State Government to work with industry to regain lost market share, creating regional economic growth and jobs.
“Australians now eat more chicken meat than their combined consumption of beef and lamb. In fact annual growth of this AUSD$5.6bn chicken meat sector is trending at 5%,” VFF Chicken Meat president Allan Bullen said.
“Yet Victoria’s share of this booming meat industry has slumped from 28% to 23% in the past eight years. Compare that to South Australia, whose chicken meat industry has grown from 8% to 13% of the national market over the same period. This funding is welcome and will go a long way to giving growers the support and confidence to invest in both the sustainability and growth of their farm businesses.”