Commercial harvesting of kangaroos in Australia
An overview and history of the kangaroo harvest industry is available on the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website: Commercial Harvesting of Kangaroos in Australia.
All Australian wildlife trade management plans must be approved by the Commonwealth government in order for wildlife products to be exported and as of 2020 New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria all have commonwealth approved harvest plans.
Tasmania allows culling and hunting of wallabies which can be sold commercially within Australia but has not had an export approval plan since 2010.
Commercial harvesting of macropods is not allowed in the Australian Capital Territory but the ACT has a comprehensive management program aimed at minimising the environmental, economic and social impacts of kangaroo populations on other biota, grassy ecosystems, ACT residents and visitors.
Commercial harvesting of macropods does not currently take place in the Northern Territory. In 2008 the NT government undertook a review on the feasibility of harvesting Red Kangaroos (Macropus Rufus) and Euros (Macropus robustus) Although at that time it was determined that kangaroo populations had been reduced through drought and harvesting was not recommended, the report offers an interesting overview of kangaroo management issues in the NT.
All harvesting of kangaroos should adhere to the Code of Practice for the Humane Shooting of Kangaroos and Wallabies for Commercial Purposes. The Code was revised and the new version published on 18 November 2020 follow an extensive consultation process and incorporate new animal welfare research, changes to harvesting strategies and public perception of the industry.
National-Code-of-Practice-for-the-humane-shooting-of-Kangaroos-and-Wallabies-for-Commercial-Purposes-November-2020-1