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Hot Droppings | Website
Burnside Decision Could Mean Longer Trips
06-12-2007 | webmaster
The closing of the Burnside plant creates an additional challenge to the deer industry to ensure safe transportation of animals.
Deer Farmers' Association chairman Bill Taylor says that while there have been predictions Burnside would close, it's still disappointing to hear the PPCS announcement: "It is always difficult accepting job losses and plant closure when they are related to an industry you are involved in." He recognises that it "is a commercial decision taken by PPCS based on commercial reality, and is a direct result of the exit from the deer industry by many Southern farmers."
One of the outcomes of the decision will potentially be longer trips for deer. "While Southland deer farmers still have the choice of two PPCS plants to send their stock too, I feel for farmers in the Otago region who will have to transport their animals for longer distances to have them processed," says Bill.
PPCS has signalled it will have capacity to process extra deer at its four other facilities: in Christchurch (Islington), West Coast (Hokitika), Invercargill (Kennington), and Te Anau basin (Mossburn). PPCS spokesperson Brent Melville confirmed to TDF that the current capacity of Islington is 325 per day with double shifting in the peak season. "It has capability, if Burnside closes, to increase that to 500 per day (also with double shifting), or as many as 80,000 per year. Kennington and Mossburn will also be upgraded if necessary to take up additional throughput."
Remaining in nearby Mosgiel is the Otago Venison plant, a toll facility that processes around 200 deer a day for exporter Duncan and Company and others, privately owned by two Dunedin businessman and Andrew Duncan.
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