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• Cook Government welcomes meat processing expansion in WA
• Innovative packaging system set to boost supermarket meat supplies
• Multi-million-dollar investment expected to create 80 new jobs

The Cook Government has welcomed a multi-million-dollar investment in the State’s meat processing sector, which is expected to create 80 new jobs.

MAP WA, co-owned by Western Meat Packer Group (WMPG) and Coles, today unveiled an expansion to its innovative packaging system at its Bibra Lake operation to increase supplies of meat products.

Retail-ready packets of high-quality beef, lamb and pork destined for Coles stores throughout Western Australia and the Northern Territory will double to 2.1 million packs per week with the use of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) technology.

MAP technology naturally maintains the visual, textural and nutritional elements of meat products for about twice as long as traditional packaging.

Consumers throughout the State will also get to enjoy a greater range of meat products, with product lines increasing from six to nine.

The expansion effectively doubles MAP WA’s processing capacity, delivering up to 400,000 kilograms of meat products per week.

Robotics technology has also been installed to improve logistics efficiency.

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:

“This investment is great news for the WA meat industry boosting processing capacity, while delivering a greater range of premium local meat products to consumers across WA.

“This development illustrates how processors and retailers can work together to capture new markets and employment opportunities.”

As stated by Warren-Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:

“Western Meat Packers Group is a fantastic example of how a small family business can start, grow and thrive in WA.

“WMPG has now become one of Australia’s most trusted beef and lamb processors and exporters with the support of the Cook Government.

“In 2020 the company received a grant of $300,000 from the WA Government’s Value Add Agribusiness Investment Attraction Fund, to help with the $10 million expansion of its Cowaramup abattoir.

“Most of the fresh meat processed at the upgraded Bibra Lake facility will come from our South West.”