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KIAA Newsletter

March 2022

Welcome to the KIAA newsletter. It has indeed been a while due to the many challenges and interruptions caused by the pandemic. The industry however has been busy and we are excited to share a number of updates with you. In this issue, we review the special kangaroo edition of Ecological Management and Restoration, and call from ecological, conservation, animal welfare and Aboriginal agencies for a National Kangaroo Strategy. There is news about the NSW State Inquiry into the Health and Wellbeing of Kangaroos and other Macropods in NSW, and reports on the industry EU and US stakeholder briefings, and the AWMS conference. There’s also a new US and EU social campaign on the horizon!

The Ecological Management & Restoration Special Kangaroo Issue

Late last year EM&R published the special kangaroo edition Optimum Management of Overabundant Macropods by ecologists and guest editors. It included 26 peer reviewed scientific papers with topics ranging from the impacts of overabundant kangaroos on soils and native plants, fertility control in urban populations, changes to aerial survey methods, and challenges for conservation management.

As part of the special publication, Professor George Wilson and other wildlife experts from multiple Australian universities drafted a joint statement which was endorsed by ecological, conservation, animal welfare and Aboriginal agencies. The statement called for a national overhaul of kangaroo management strategies which they believe fail to deal with the increase in populations of serval species of kangaroo due to greater availability of pasture, increased watering points, dingo control, and less hunting.

Specifically, it recommends a National Kangaroo Taskforce is formed that would see the federal government, states and territories, private landowners, agriculture and conservation bodies, and indigenous communities join forces to drive kangaroo management reform.

The National Kangaroo Strategy recommends six terms of reference including the need to ensure the highest ethical and humane standards and progress towards a system where all harvesting and/or culling of kangaroos is undertaken under a single National Code of Practice.

Government Updates

NSW STATE INQUIRY: the KIAA submitted a response to the Inquiry Into Health and Wellbeing of Kangaroos and other Macropods in NSW. The Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee report was submitted on 15 October 2021 and calls on the Natural Resources Commission to review the methodology behind kangaroo quotas, and the need for extensive consultation with First Nations people in both commercial and non-commercial settings. The government is tabled to respond on 19 April 2022, and the industry will provide an update in the next newsletter.

VIC HARVEST QUOTA UPDATE: Victoria’s kangaroo harvest management plan will be extended until the end of 2023 with the 10 per cent quota remaining in force. The state government announced the quota will be 127,850 this year.

SA KANGAROO PARTNERSHOP CO-ORDINATOR: Georgina Shirley of Sevenseas Creative became the SA statewide kangaroo partnership coordinator late last year. The role functions as an independent facilitator for the Optimising Kangaroo Management in the South Australia project which is funded by the Landscape Priorities Fund.

EU and US Stakeholder Briefings

The KIAA recently completed a range of industry briefings with key kangaroo meat and leather importing stakeholders and customers in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands and the US. Feedback from the briefings included how well the industry is managed; that leather and meat issues are somewhat separate for stakeholders; similarity of challenges seen with other game meat in these markets; and the support of industry and advocates going forward. The briefings have been an important step and will continue throughout 2022.

AWMS Conference

The KIAA presented at the Australasian Wildlife Management Society (AWMS) Conference in December. The presentation focused on the factors influencing the future value and volume of kangaroo products in domestic and export markets, and covered meat and leather quality, animal treatment, industry operation and perception, and price.

The key issues impacting domestic demand for kangaroo were discussed. Highlighted was the competitive price of kangaroo meat compared to other red meats; the fact lean and protein rich elements of kangaroo meat are generally well known; an expanding demand in pet food; awareness around durability and strength characteristics of kangaroo leather with suppliers, but less known with the public; and recognition that the industry is well regulated.

The industry outlined its position and the actions being taken in relation to export markets. This includes the key regulatory and industry EU and US stakeholder briefing sessions; proactive placement of stories featuring the positive aspects of industry; focus on premium quality of meat and leather, and green credential messaging; and social media advertising and content.

Watch this space

The KIAA has created a suite of 15 and 30 second social media video’s featuring premium kangaroo meat and high-performance kangaroo leather that will target specific US locations from next month. The leather videos highlight the aesthetics and sustainability, and performance and longevity of kangaroo leather, and will target fashion designers, and gloving and footwear across a range of industries.

The meat video’s highlight premium produce, and the health benefits and sustainability of kangaroo meat, and will target chefs, food artisans, nutritionists,’ dieticians, and the health industry. The video’s will be shared on the KIAA website, and will launch into targeted EU locations with translated captions, later in the year.

The Bounce

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Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia · PO Box 963 · Warwick, Qld 4370 · Australia