The several posters who have suggested or implied that we should process the meat here in the conditions that we approve and then export frozen/chilled meat products are overlooking several critical factors:
1. the need for a cheap and reliable electricity supply to preserve the meat all the way through the supply chain to the end consumer.
We have this in Australia and other western countries at present. Watch what might happen when electricity prices go through the roof as some predict with carbon/green taxes.
2. Cultural. There are cultural factors in how local people expect meat is prepared and distributed. Yes most of these factors are cultural and could in theory be changed. At the end of the day they arose as a way of ensuring a safe and affordable food on the table and in the belly. This applies as much to how the food is distributed and processed as it applies to what is classified as food.
Just look at some of the arguments that arise from time to time about halal/kosher killing of animals for meat even in Australia, let alone the use by some cultures of dog/whale etc as food. Then of course there is the Australian joke being the only country that eats its coat of arms (well the kangaroo & emu).
Unfortunately the reaction of our government was a complete botch and has potentially destroyed another industry. There appears to be little in the way of thoughtful action by anyone (Liberal/Labour/Country/Green) in parliament. I would extend this to the senior advisers/beaurocrats as well who supposedly advise the members of parliament.
