Distribution of meat products from prospective Australian animal industries: crocodiles, emus, game birds, rabbits, hares and snails A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by Jacquie Bodger and Brendan Goulding March 2003 RIRDC Publication No. 03/023 RIRDC Project No. DAQ 278A © 2003 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 0642 58591 1 ISSN 1440-6845 Distribution Of Meat Products From Prospective Australian Animal Industries Publication No. 03/023 Project No. DAQ-278A The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other inquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager by telephoning (02) 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Jacquie Bodger Brendan Goulding Senior Rural Trade Officer Rural Trade Officer AgriInfonet Rural Market Development Rural Market Development Department of Primary Industries Department of Primary Industries PO Box 46 PO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001 Brisbane Qld 4001 Phone: (07) 3239 3315 Phone: (07) 3239 3307 Fax: (07) 3221 3896 Fax: (07) 3221 3896 Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC contact details: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street Barton ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 Kingston ACT 2604 Telephone: (02) 6272 4539 Fax: (02) 6272 5877 Email: [email protected]. Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in March 2003 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint ii Foreword This report presents the research findings into meat distribution systems within the crocodile, emu, game bird, rabbit, hare and snail industries. The information is based on case studies compiled from face-to-face interviews, and a background to each industry is also included. Statistics for these industries are often unavailable, but where possible they have been obtained from official government sources. When reviewing previous research that had been carried out within the emerging Australian animal industries covered by this report it was found that although work had been undertaken in the areas of production, marketing and product development, little was documented about the logistics and distribution of products in these smaller animal industries. The aim of this project, therefore, was to describe current methods of distributing the meats from the processing works to the customer. The information is presented in the form of case studies that are examples of typical supply chains. The grower and processor are often one and the same, or work hand in hand, in which case these case studies also reflect the supply chain from paddock to plate. These case studies are prefixed by an overview of the industry, products, markets, logistical, and legislative issues. This publication also takes industry issues into consideration, documenting the main areas of concern; and it puts forward recommendations for future research as reflected by these industries. This project was funded from RIRDC core funds, which are provided by the federal government. This report, a new addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 900 research publications, forms part of our new animal products R&D program, which aims to accelerate the development of viable new animal industries. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: downloads <www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/Index.htm> purchases <www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop>. Simon Hearn Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii List of terms AFFA: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry Australia AQIS: Australian Quarantine Inspection Service ANZFA: The Australia New Zealand Food Authority BSE: Bovine spongiform encephalopathy CALM: Department of Conservation and Land Management, Western Australia CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Cryovac: vacuum packaging system Doe: female rabbit Eviscerated: gutted Game bird dressed weight sizes: Each size increment represents 100 g (e.g. size 2 = 200 g) HACCP: hazard analysis critical control point Jerky: dried meat product Kitten: baby rabbit PAAI: prospective Australian animal industries Q Safe: Safe Food Queensland Squab: Baby Pigeon iv Acknowledgments The authors are grateful to the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation for providing funding for this project. The authors also acknowledge and thank the many industry members and government representatives who kindly devoted their time to provide the valuable knowledge and guidance necessary for the preparation of this report. In particular we give special thanks to the harvesters, producers, processors, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and members of food service organisations who participated in the case studies provided in this report. Their assistance and insights contributed greatly to the understanding of the distribution of game-meat products and the wider industry issues prevalent today. Additionally, the authors express their gratitude to the representatives of the state and federal government agencies and researchers for providing information, statistics, and advice on the regulations for each particular species. The authors would particularly like to thank Judy Noller, DPI Marketing officer, Cairns, who carried out a survey of restaurants in Cairns to assess consumer acceptance and markets for of the various meats. Also Simon Wills, DPI Rural Trade Officer who conducted research in Adelaide and Melbourne. v Contents Foreword................................................................................................................................................................ iii List of terms ........................................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................................... v Executive summary.............................................................................................................................................. viii 1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Objectives................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Background ............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Scope and limitations of research............................................................................................................ 1 2 Crocodile......................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Industry overview.................................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Products................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Markets ................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.4 Price ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 2.5 Value chain analysis................................................................................................................................ 5 2.6 Legislation............................................................................................................................................... 6 2.7 Case study: Crocodiles – Queensland ..................................................................................................... 6 2.8 Case study: Crocodiles – Western Australia ......................................................................................... 11 2.9 Major issues .......................................................................................................................................... 14 2.10 SWOT analysis: crocodiles ................................................................................................................... 16 2.11 Future directions ................................................................................................................................... 17 3 Emus ............................................................................................................................................................. 19 3.1 Industry overview.................................................................................................................................. 19 3.2 Products................................................................................................................................................