<!– @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } –>It seems our hoppy friends are getting a break at last as the only remaining British retailer to sell kangaroo meat have finally caved in to pressure.
Cash-and-carry chain Makro, which is a major supplier to the catering industry, claimed there were “a number of reasons” for no longer selling the steaks, which included a change in their meat-sourcing policy.
Makro have fought against opposition from animal welfare campaigners in the past, but this time the threat of a boycott from their 33-store empire led to the change in heart. Animal rights group argued the hunting and killing of kangaroos was having a detrimental effect on their population.
The marsupial hunting trade brings in £100 million a year through its sales to the Far East and continental Europe in addition to the leather it supplies to Nike for their football boots.
Aggressive hunting as well as droughts have contributed to a 50 per cent decrease in wild populations over the last ten years, with numbers dropping from 51 million in 2000 to 25 million in 2008.
Vegetarian group Viva! were responsible for putting pressure on Makro, asking them to follow in the footsteps of supermarket groups and other cash and carry Booker by declining to stock the meat.
In response (and in the face of a possible boycott), Makro responded by writing to the group, saying, “Following your provision of the additional information surrounding management of kangaroos in the wild, we have discussed the detail with our suppliers,” Andrew Machon, Makro’s head of quality assurance, wrote.
“In consideration of all of the above factors, we have taken the decision to remove from sale kangaroo meat until we are provided with such information from our suppliers that assures us that the management of the animals has been fully reviewed.”
German owned Makro – part of the Metro group, added, “We recognise that ‘alternative meats’ are still popular with our customers – who are in the main professional caterers – and that we live in a multicultural society where the choice of meats is broader. However, we have taken this decision in line with the introduction of our new meat-sourcing policy.”
Justin Kerswell, Viva! campaigns manager, Justin Kerswell said, “It is fantastic that this so-called ‘exotic meat’ cannot now be purchased from any major cash-and-carry firm in this country. We hope this move is permanent.”
Mr Kerswell added, “Kangaroos cannot be farmed, they are shot at night in the outback away from the scrutiny of the public. Baby joeys are pulled from their dead mother’s pouch and have their heads literally bashed in. Populations have plummeted, yet the killing continues.”
