To date, new animal industries have been focused on harvesting non-meat products e.g. fibre, velvet, milk; but producers are now also building markets for the meat and by-products off these animals. Their efforts in some instances have been curtailed by low or no access to slaughter and processing facilities in their region, as well as by other supply chain and distribution issues.
This report is important because it identifies and discusses the chief barriers to improved access to slaughter services for a few exotic species (alpacas, dairy buffalo, goats, deer and game birds) and provides a decision making tool for producers to consider in regard to slaughter and processing when developing their business model. It will be useful for producers to understand the perspective of processors in considering whether to undertake exotic livestock slaughter and points to several areas for further development and consideration.