MLA to scale back its dual x-ray rollout

Meat & Livestock Australia's planned $150 million rollout of dual x-ray technology has been scaled back following resistance from the industry.

 

The project has been replaced with a smaller trial of DEXA [dual energy x-ray absorptionmetry], according to an ABC Rural report, which will see the technology rolled out to just five abattoirs.

 

Originally, the DEXA technology was to be rolled out across 150 abattoirs, but the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) recently launched an inquiry recently into its feasibility.

 

According to a recent MLA report, dual x-ray technology could provide meat companies with $400 million a year in added value, because of its ability to provide transparent and scientific measurements of meat yield, fat and bone.

 

MLA will co-fund the installation of the equipment, which costs $1 million per unit, at Teys, Frewstall, and Wagstaff Cranbourne, and Gundagai Meat Processors.