Australian government considers kangaroo leather
The Australian government is to consider a proposal that calls for culled kangaroos and wallabies to be sold as meat and leather products.
The Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission recommended in a draft report to the Treasurer, Kim Wells, that the government allow the commercial use of kangaroos and wallabies killed under an Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) permit.
The report also looks at measures to simplify the cull permit application process.
The commission investigated the issue after the Victorian Farmers Federation made a submission.
The commission said reducing the need for on-site assessments by the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and consolidating paperwork, could help cut permit applicants’ costs.
It said commercial harvesting of culled wildlife was prohibited in Victoria, but if there was no change in the rate at which permits were issued, the sale of carcasses would not affect wildlife populations.
The commission said that according to the department, which authorises the cull permits, 30,000 kangaroos are destroyed under ATCWs each year in Victoria.
The commission suggests it costs just under $1 million to issue the cull permits annually.
Kate Walshe, spokeswoman for Mr Wells, said interested parties and stakeholders had an opportunity to comment on the draft report.
The commission will accept public submissions until May 12, 2011.
