Top Australian wagyu producer, David Blackmore, has avoided the chop - for now. Mr Blackmore, whose wagyu beef is exported to 20 countries and prized by celebrity chefs including Neil Perry, faced being forced off his property in north-east Victoria after a local council refused to grant him a permit to continue farming. But Victoria's Planning Minister Richard Wynne told Fairfax Media he would review the Murrindindi Council decision, saying it is the "right thing to do". The minister's intervention comes as more farmers run into regulators after clashing with "tree-changers" over smells, noises and other issues. Mr Wynne's action means Mr Blackmore has avoided defending his livelihood at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. "This was a commonsense decision," said Mr Wynne. "I'm not going to pre-empt the outcome of that process, but it was the right thing to do in the immediate term." He will establish the Animal Industries Advisory Committee on Thursday which will help overhaul farming zone laws.