Fletcher International, Narrikup abattoir, WA (Owen Grieve)
That's the view of Roger Fletcher, the Principal of Fletcher International which operates a facility at Narrikup in the Great Southern.
The Gingin abattoir was purchased by Kimberley pastoralist Jack Burton and his plan was to reopen the site as a domestic and export facility.
But his exports plans hit a snag when he became aware of an outstanding AQIS debt of $84,000 incurred by the previous owner that remains tied to the Gingin abattoir.
The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry says in line with legislation and the department's debt management policy, debts owed by export abattoirs remain with the export registration for that establishment.
So if Jack Burton doesn't pay the bill the abattoir won't receive an export licence.
Jack Burton is not happy about that and has asked the Department to waive the debt.
But Roger Fletcher says the owner needs to accept the debt and get on with it.
"Any cost that gets dripped off comes back to the industry anyway," he said.