Jobs and growth for local poultry industry

Wednesday 23 February 2011

The Victorian Government has announced more than $100,000 in funding to support jobs and growth in the local poultry industry.

Speaking at Mayfair Park industrial estate in East Bendigo today, the Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan announced up to $62,500 for Moira Mac's Poultry and Fine Foods, towards its $1.2 million high pressure processing technology project.

"This investment in high pressure processing (HPP) technology will allow Moira Mac's to expand its manufacturing capacity and employ an additional 25 people from the region," Mr Ryan said.

"The HPP process is groundbreaking for the Australian poultry industry. It creates a longer shelf-life for poultry products as it destroys bacteria, while maintaining the integrity and nutritional value of the processed product."

Mr Ryan also announced up to $50,000 for the Loddon Shire Council's Agribusiness Development Free Range Eggs project.

"The Free Range Eggs project aims to develop an agribusiness framework, which will result in the establishment of a free range table egg production precinct within the Loddon Shire," Mr Ryan said.

"The framework will allow broadacre farmers and former dairy farmers to branch out into egg production through an integrated supply chain and facilitate the investment of at least $7 million into the region."

The Victorian Government recognises the economic importance of the poultry sector to the north central Victorian region and the continued innovation and investment by the industry.

"This industry has an impressive track record of growth, increasing its regional economic turnover over the past five years from $168.5 million to $309.6 million," Mr Ryan said.