Ethical Meat Processing Guide

Supporting farmers, animals and communities through ethical processing

Between December 2024 and May 2025, Sustainable Table hosted a series of four online roundtable discussions exploring alternative meat processing options. Three of these sessions were co-hosted with the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA). The series was developed in response to a wave of abattoir closures that have left many small-medium sized producers locked out of processing infrastructure, and aimed to support an industry urgently seeking solutions.

Each session highlighted real-world examples of alternative models, some already operating successfully, others emerging through grassroots collaboration. Across the four events we heard from eight farmers who generously shared their experiences, progress, challenges, and practical advice as they work to reclaim control over their supply chains.

Below are summaries and videos of each of the sessions as well as links to additional resources.

Addressing the National Abattoir Issue

Unpacking the crisis in local abattoir access

As local abattoir closures continue to threaten small and mid-scale livestock producers, Sustainable Table and AFSA co-hosted a powerful roundtable led by Tammi Jonas to unpack the systemic challenges and spotlight farmer-led solutions. From policy advocacy to grassroots models like the Jonai Farms’ Meat Collective, the session offered both a critical analysis and a hopeful roadmap for the future of ethical, local meat in Australia.