Calling for Political Commitment: Securing the Future of Small-Scale Farming in Tasmania

8/07/25

Sprout Tasmania is calling on all parties to commit to a resilient, fair, and thriving local food system for our state.

Tasmania’s small-scale producers are critical to our food security, regional economies, and climate resilience. But right now, the systems they rely on are fragile and at risk.

Following our landmark Livestock Service-Kill Processing: An Investigative Report, it is clear that without significant, statewide investment within the next 12–24 months, Tasmania’s already limited and centralised processing system may fail. This will impact not just small producers, but communities across the state who rely on local, nutritious food.

What we’re asking for:

🟢 A funding commitment for three years to Sprout Tasmania.

This will enable us to:

• Drive follow-up coordination, pilot initiatives, and stakeholder facilitation from the service-kill processing report.
• Ensure dedicated representation for small-scale producers in state-level policy, planning, and industry reform.
• Respond to critical sector issues, including food safety regulation, land use planning, and climate resilience.

🟢 A commitment to departmental resourcing to support key actions identified in the Livestock Service-Kill Processing Report.
This includes:

• Continued support for the Small Scale Processing Workgroup under Biosecurity Tasmania.
• Continued resourcing of the Livestock Processing Taskforce – Animal Welfare.
• Equitable access to processing infrastructure for farms of all scales, aligned with Tasmania’s Food Relief to Food Resilience Strategy.

Why this matters:

Sprout is the only independent organisation in Tasmania dedicated to supporting small-scale farmers, advocating for them at the policy table while delivering practical projects that build resilience, skills, and innovation across the sector.

We have laid the groundwork. Now, we have a clear pathway forward to strengthen local food networks and build a best-practice, diverse service-kill meat processing industry in Tasmania.

But we need commitment from all parties to turn recommendations into real-world change.

We call on all parties to:
✅ Recognise and support small-scale producers as critical contributors to Tasmania’s agricultural future.
✅ Commit to funding and resourcing the implementation of report recommendations.
✅ Partner with Sprout to ensure small producers have a seat at the table.

Together, we can ensure Tasmania leads the nation in building a sustainable, resilient food system that benefits farmers, consumers, and communities.

📄 Read the full Livestock Service-Kill Processing: An Investigative Report here.