The abattoir, previously owned by De Quintal Property Holdings which went into administration last year, is now owned by Ernest Davies.

When the Tammin abattoir shut its doors at the end of July about 20 employees were left without a job and reportedly owed money.

De Quintal’s administrators Taylor Woodings Chartered Accountants confirmed that its client’s Tammin property had been sold.

Tammin shire acting chief executive officer Glenn Bone said the abattoir had been purchased by Ernest Davies, and began operations on Wednesday, January 6.

He said abattoir management’s aim was to process around 700 sheep a week for the domestic market.

“Stock will obviously come from all over the place, but the local employment in particular will be beneficial for the town,” Mr Bone said.

The facility has the capacity to process up to 1200 head of sheep a day.

It is understood the company has already been active in the saleyards, buying sheep at last week’s sale in Midland.

There was some confusion initially as to who exactly had purchased the abattoir when a refrigeration truck from Beaufort River Meats was seen loading at Tammin, but Beaufort River principal Joe Macri was quick to quash the rumour.

“We sold them one of our refrigerated trucks, but that’s all,” Mr Macri said.

WAFarmers meat section president Jeff Murray welcomed the news that the Tammin facility had reopened, and said it was good news for the industry.

“It’s good news for regional WA and good news for the industry in general,” Mr Murray said.

“The extra competition is certainly welcomed, so it’s all positive.

“We just need the same increase in competition to happen in the cattle industry.”

Previously the abattoir predominantly processed sheep for the domestic market, and although it was approved for export by the WA Meat Industry Authority (WAMIA) in 2008, it is listed by WAMIA as a domestic abattoir only.