Do concerns about kangaroo management represent an existential threat for the red meat industry in the southern Australian rangelands?
K. Sinclair A B D , A. L. Curtis B and T. Atkinson C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, 1243 Bruxner Highway, Wollongbar, NSW 2477, Australia.
B Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (an alliance between Charles Sturt University and NSW Department of Primary Industries), Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
C NSW Department of Primary Industries, 34 Hampden Street, Dubbo, NSW 2830, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: katrina.sinclair@dpi.nsw.gov.au
The Rangeland Journal 41(6) 557-565 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ19063
Submitted: 17 August 2019 Accepted: 16 December 2019 Published: 11 Febuary 2020
Abstract
Concerns raised, including those voiced by animal rights and vegan activists, have limited the available practices by landholders in the southern Australian rangelands to effectively control kangaroos and, over time, the actions of these groups may threaten the existence of the livestock industry. This paper draws on interviews with key stakeholders and workshops with technical experts and red meat industry participants to identify strategies to respond to this potentially existential threat. Strategies include establishing platforms and processes for effective stakeholder engagement, establishing a unified and resourced industry ‘voice’ to effectively engage with government and other stakeholders, and ensuring that the industry self-regulates in order to avoid the potential for rogue elements to undermine its credibility and trustworthiness.
Additional keywords: external risk, landholder viability, macropod control, stakeholder engagement.
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