HARVESTING zones will be set up across Victoria as part of a state government plan for a permanent kangaroo meat pet food industry.
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Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes announced the plan on Friday following a trial, involving Benalla and Wangaratta council areas, that began in 2014.
Under the blueprint, the existing trial will be extended to September 30 with a long-term regulatory structure to apply from the following day.
It would include kangaroo harvesting zones being established across Victoria with annual quotas to be enforced for each area.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has the task of determining the boundaries of the zones and other measures over the next six months.
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley cautiously welcomed progress, saying kangaroo numbers across greater Wodonga needed tackling.
"If you don't think we have a problem with kangaroo numbers go for a drive through White Box Rise or, as I said in parliament last week, ask a local panel beater," he said.
"Kangaroo numbers are out of control and this creates jobs and an industry.
"At face value it's good news but I will still wait to see the detail - I have seen other examples from this government where these programs are designed to fail, the regulations so prohibitive that it dies on the vine.
"I would also hope that these kangaroo population surveys are a little more rigorous than the last count in 2017 where they basically gave up when they got to the hills in the North East."
Under the government's plan, the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions will administer the harvesting and processing of kangaroos.
Ms Symes said implementing a kangaroo meat industry reflected rural feedback.
"We've listened to farmers' concerns and that's why we're taking action to sustainably manage kangaroo populations and reduce waste going forward to the benefit of farmers and our environment," she said.