Portfolio news

Tony Burke visits US to promote agricultural trade

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke visited the United States last week to promote agricultural trade. Mr Burke held a series of meetings in Washington DC relating to trade, market access, food security and climate change, including the recent passage of the US climate change bill through the House of Representatives. Read the media release at maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/july_new/tony_burke_to_visit_united_states_to_promote_agricultural_trade

More Australian dairy cattle to be exported to China

The government has announced another step forward in our agricultural trade with China. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced Australian and Chinese quarantine authorities had signed a new export protocol for breeding dairy cattle from Australia.The new protocol eases quarantine restrictions by eliminating the need for Australian cattle to be tested for bovine tuberculosis and recognising our bluetongue virus zoning system. Read the media release at maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/july_new/more_australian_dairy_cattle_to_be_exported_to_china

$750,000 investment in the next generation

The government has announced a second round of grants worth $750,000 to help attract more young people to careers in agriculture. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said he was encouraged by the positive response since the Next Gen Farmers initiative began this year. This round will fund 22 grants to support the next generation of rural leaders, covering a broad range of primary industries including dairy, sugar, aquaculture and livestock. Read the media release at maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/july_new/another_$750,000_investment_in_next_generation_of_rural_leaders

Australia denounces US decision on dairy export subsidies

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke is disappointed by the United States’ decision last week to extend its dairy export subsidies by another year. Mr Burke met with US Trade Representatives in Washington this week to discuss various issues including the US Dairy Export Incentive Program. Read the media release maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/july_new/australia_denounces_us_decision_to_extend_dairy_export_subsidies

Preparing forest industries for the future

Some questions were raised last week over statistics presented on 24 June in relation to ‘preparing our forest industries for the future’. Read the ministerial statement at maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/july_new/ministerial_statement_on_preparing_our_forest_industries_for_the_future

Global Biosecurity 2010

An international biosecurity conference will be held in Brisbane from 28 February – 3 March 2010. Global Biosecurity 2010 is Australia's first international conference and exhibition to focus on agricultural and environmental biosecurity. Registration is now open via the conference website at http://www.globalbiosecurity2010.com/. us to inform you better: do the 'contours' online survey now ...

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Australian Working Dog Survey

A new project funded by DAFF through the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy is investigating how Australia’s working dogs are cared for, trained, handled and housed. The aim is to generate baseline information on the management of dogs used by humans in work and sport, and to support collaboration between the different working dog industries nationally and internationally. The study is being conducted by independent veterinary researcher Dr Nick Branson and Ms Mia Cobb of Guide Dogs Victoria in collaboration with the University of Sydney’s Associate Professor Paul McGreevy. A survey is now underway and will run until 1 September 2009. Copies of the survey and participant information sheets are available online at http://www.vetsci.usyd.edu.au/teaching_learning/surveys/dog_survey.shtml. Visit www.daff.gov.au/aaws for further informatio

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

The financial performance of key agricultural industries

ABARE released three papers last week discussing the current commodity outlook and recent financial performance of some key agricultural industries in Victoria. The papers were prepared for the Victorian Department of Primary Industries Ag Futures program. The performance of the wheat and other crop industry, mixed livestock-crops industry, broadacre farms and the sheep, beef and dairy industries in particular regions of Victoria are highlighted in the papers. To view the papers, visit www.abare.gov.au/publications_html/news/news/news.html and check the latest releases section.

FUN FIFTY QUIZ!

To celebrate the 50th edition of DAFFnews, we're inviting you to test your knowledge with the FUN FIFTY quiz. Complete the quiz and you could be in the draw to win one of three fabulous prize packs, featuring acclaimed documentaries on two extremely hot portfolio topics: water and wine! Visit www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ZfShXxLAvT7thX96RKkeNA_3d_3d%22%3eClick to take the quiz.