Key facts
- Baiada, a major Australian chicken producer, has opened a new $600 million poultry processing plant in Tamworth.
- The facility is designed to process 3 million chickens per week at full capacity.
- The plant is expected to create over 1,000 jobs.
- Animal welfare advocates question the speed at which meat chickens are bred to grow.
- The RSPCA has updated its welfare standards to promote lower stocking densities and slower-growing breeds.
Baiada, one of Australia's largest chicken producers, has opened a new $600 million poultry processing plant in Tamworth, New South Wales. The facility boasts a striking, modern architectural design, described as resembling an art gallery or high-end conference center, intended to integrate with the surrounding landscape. This sophisticated plant is equipped with state-of-the-art chilling systems and automated packing machines, capable of processing 15,000 birds per hour across two lines when at full capacity. The facility is expected to process 3 million chickens weekly and support over 1,000 jobs in the region.
Australian consumers eat an average of 55kg of chicken meat per person annually, with chicken accounting for almost half of all meat consumed. Over 800 million chickens are expected to be slaughtered in Australia this financial year, and the new Oakburn facility will handle nearly 20% of this volume. Local officials, like Tamworth regional council deputy mayor Jeff Budd, have praised the development for its economic impact and sophisticated design, likening the interior to a five-star hotel. Professor Stephen Walkden-Brown of Poultry Hub Australia also noted it as one of the most modern plants globally.
However, animal welfare advocates have raised concerns. Jed Goodfellow from the Australian Alliance for Animals stated that while the building is state-of-the-art, the underlying welfare model is not. He highlighted the practice of selectively breeding chickens for rapid growth, which can lead to health issues, contrasting it with slower-growing breeds used in parts of Europe. Melina Tensen from the RSPCA confirmed that most chicken meat sold in Australia meets their welfare standards, which were recently updated to include lower stocking densities and variable light intensity. The RSPCA also introduced enhanced standards focusing on slower-growing breeds, though the transition depends on consumer support and potentially higher costs.