PORTFOLIO NEWS

NSW Drought assistance application referred for independent advice

The Australian Government has referred an Exceptional Circumstances (EC) submission from the NSW State Government to the independent National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC). NSW Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan sent a submission to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke, seeking a review of NRAC’s recommendation not to extend the EC declaration for the Hume EC region. Minister Burke has referred the application to NRAC which will again provide advice back to the government. For more information on Exceptional Circumstances, visit www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/drought/ec. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/nsw_drought_assistance_application_referred_for_independent_advice

Boosting NT cattle exports to Indonesia and Southeast Asia

The Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association will receive funding from the Australian Government to help local producers develop their cattle exports into Indonesia and other Southeast Asia markets. Minister Burke announced up to $107,500 to increase live exports to new markets. The project is one of 14 to share in nearly $1.3 million from the Australian Government to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. It is the second round of funding under the three-year Promoting Australian Produce initiative. For further information, visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/tasmanian_vegetables_expanding_into_se_asia

Biosecurity Australia launches IRAs for imported beef

Biosecurity Australia has commenced three separate import risk analyses (IRAs) to assess possible risks to the health of Australian animals from any future decision to import beef and beef products for human consumption from the United States, Canada and Japan. Chief Executive of Biosecurity Australia Dr Colin Grant said these three countries had already applied to Australia for market access for their beef. “These IRAs form a separate and parallel process to that being conducted by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to assess potential food safety risks from beef from countries that have previously had outbreaks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE,” Dr Grant said. For more information visit www.daff.gov.au/ba. Details of the separate FSANZ process are available on its website. Read the DAFF media release at http://www.daff.gov.au/about/media-centre/dept-releases/2010/biosecurity_australia_launches_iras_for_imported_beef

Tasmanian vegetables expanding into Southeast Asia

The Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research will receive funding from the Australian Government to help identify new market opportunities in Southeast Asia for Tasmanian vegetables. Minister Burke announced up to $116,000 to develop a marketing and promotion strategy to determine the needs and commercial viability of new Southeast Asian vegetable markets. The project is one of 14 to share in nearly $1.3 million from the Australian Government to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. It is the second round of funding under the three-year Promoting Australian Produce initiative. For further information, visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/tasmanian_vegetables_expanding_into_se_asia 

Latest Locust Bulletin out now

PUBLICATIONS PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Latest Locust Bulletin out now

The latest Locust Bulletin for April 2010 in now available on the DAFF website at http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/locusts/bulletins

EVENTS

ABARE’s Albany, WA Regional Outlook conference is on 28 April

With a conference program tailored to your region, don’t miss this chance to hear from 12 speakers across four sessions at ABARE’s Albany Regional Outlook conference on Wednesday 28 April. This one day conference features speakers discussing opportunities for agriculture, working with the environment, climate trends, salinity, soil carbon, the timber and wine industries as well as the economic outlook. Discover more at www.abare.gov.au/regional for registration information and to download the program, or contact Angela Ellerman on 02 6272 2303.

Australasian Aquaculture 2010—23 to 26 May, Hobart

Australasian Aquaculture 2010 is headed south to the picturesque state of Tasmania. Some of aquaculture's finest products are produced in the waters of this clean, un-spoilt and pristine state. The 2010 event will be an opportunity to showcase the premium products on offer in Tasmania. More information is available online at http://www.australian-aquacultureportal.com/austaqua/aa10.html