The Andrews Labor Government today announced plans to extend a trial allowing the use of kangaroo meat resulting from authorised wildlife control activities to be processed for pet food. A trial has been underway since 2014 to test whether waste from the control of kangaroos can be used commercially for pet food.
“While kangaroos are a critical part of our environment, Victoria has a strong regulatory system to control kangaroos where they are damaging pasture, crops or other property or impacting on biodiversity.” Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville commented “This trial has been set up to examine the opportunity to reuse the waste of kangaroos for commercial pet food, thereby reducing waste associated with this control work.”
Minister Neville explained that the the trial has received positive support from participating landowners and the pet food industry, helping to reduce waste by processing thousands of kangaroos for pet food and creating new employment opportunities in rural and regional Victoria.

“Victoria has a strong regulatory system for the control of kangaroos to protect agricultural assets, public safety and biodiversity and help to manage kangaroo populations.” Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford commented “The kangaroo pet food trial enables waste, from kangaroos that are humanely controlled, to be converted into pet meat.”
Minister Pulford explained that the trial requires that the Wildlife Act is closely adhered to and that the National Code of Practice for kangaroo control is used by shooters so that any kangaroos controlled are treated humanely. Pulford went on to add that there are penalties for not complying with the code or with the Wildlife Act. The trial is due to finish in March this year but will now be extended for another two years to test its sustainability over a longer period and to expand the geographic area of the trial.