AUSTRALIA'S fledgling camel meat industry is hoping for a multi-million dollar injection if development proposals for an abattoir near Port Pirie are approved.
Egyptian businessman Magdy El Ashram wants to slaughter 100,000 head a year for expanding markets in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, generating $60 million a year for the State economy.
The owner of global frozen meat company Magdiens - with branches in Egypt, Ethiopia and Australia - has been mainly exporting live camels to Egypt from Africa.
There has been a push to further develop a camel meat industry in Australia - a commercial solution for the 1.5 million feral camels in Central Australia, replacing or limiting the Federal Government's $19m four year aerial cull.
Mr El Ashram and other proponents of the abattoir believe the cull is a huge waste of a viable resource, given expanding global markets and a soaring world food crisis.
Australian Women in Agriculture president Dr Pat Hamilton says camel meat is high quality and organic.
"Every three seconds someone in the world dies of hunger. If there is a way to get cheaper protein sources to these countries, we need to do it," she said.
While camels would be the main focus, operations would be supported by a steady supply of feral goats. "SA is rich with goats, but there are few processors in the light of high lamb and mutton prices," Mr El Ashram said.
The proposed abattoir would eventually have the capacity to slaughter 3000 small and 300 large animals a week, including feral donkeys, to supply a strong Chinese demand.
Most of Mr El Ashram's target markets are low income for developing countries looking at cheaper protein options.
While the feral camel population is tipped to explode on the back of a fantastic season, many farmers believe mustering and trapping, reliable transport, freight charges and low returns for musterers may be serious issues confronting the venture.
But Mr El Ashram says the supply of camels will not be an issue and he is in negotiations with indigenous communities in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara, Maralinga and Central Australian lands, and pastoralists.
"We will welcome camels from anyone and anywhere," he said.
Mr El Ashram says he has widespread support and is confident he will secure a continuous supply. He has committed to pay all freight costs.
Prices offered for camels are competitive.
Mr El Ashram said a domestic market for the meat could only happen after a consumer awareness campaign about the benefits of alternative meats.
"Camel meat is similar to beef, but lower in fat."
Mr El Ashram said there were similarities with the Kangaroo meat industry, which had gained acceptance in the past decade.
"Kangaroo meat is not halal, and never could be because of the way it is harvested," he said.
Camels, however, are slaughtered according to halal requirements, which opened up vast opportunities in Muslim countries.
He was hopeful of Federal Government support from funds earmarked for the cull, but a lack of government money would not hinder his plans.
Port Pirie mayor Brenton Vanstone said the council fully-supported the proposal, which was submitted in April.
The council has employed external accountants to assist with the planning process for the facility, which will be built in four stages. He expects 22 people to be immediately employed in the production phase and 300 when the abattoir is running at full capacity.
PIRSA, the Environment Protection Authority and council had an opportunity to review the development application before submission, and will be able to respond together with the public, during the application process.
"Once council planning and approval is given, the ball will be in Mr Ashram's court," Mr Vanstone said.
The proposed abattoir site is 16 kilometres south of Port Pirie on the national Highway 1 at Warnertown.
*Full report in Stock Journal, June 02 issue, 2011.