PORTFOLIO NEWS

Statement: reports on illegal logging incorrect

Recent media reports claiming the government has abandoned its election promises on illegal logging are incorrect. Before the importation of illegally-logged timber into Australia can be restricted, the government must be able to determine which imported timber is legal and which is illegal. A piece of illegally-logged kwila (merbau) timber can look exactly the same as a legally logged piece. Without that knowledge, the only option would be a blanket ban on all imports – including the 91per cent of timber imports believed to be logged legally. Read the media release at http://maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/august/statement_reports_on_illegal_logging_are_incorrect

Burke meets Landcare volunteers

Minister Burke met with Port Macquarie Landcare volunteers last week to congratulate them on the success of local landcare projects. The government last year provided more than $45 370 under Caring for our Country to Port Macquarie Landcare, in partnership with Hastings Council, for work at the nursery and the reserve. Volunteers propagate around 20 000 native plants each year at the nursery, which are then used by local landcare groups to restore urban sites and revegetate land. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/august/tony_burke_meets_port_macquarie_landcare_volunteers

Green tea to Japan: potential new export

Australia already exports olive oil to the Italians. Soon we could also have a significant new industry exporting green tea to Japan. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke recently released a report by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) identifying green tea as a potential export industry to expand. The report found several regions in Australia have an ideal climate and environment to provide high-quality green tea, including around Gosford on the NSW Central Coast. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/august/green_tea_to_japan_potential_new_agricultural_export_industry

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Foodservice Attitudes towards Kangaroo Meat

The meat industry is one of the largest in Australia. Key competitors include beef, lamb, pork and game meats. Kangaroo meat is a healthy, nutritional, cost effective and healthy substitute for other red meats. Currently, kangaroo meat marketing is suffering from lack of information to make the best return on investment decisions to market to the foodservice sector. The foodservice industry is the key driver of total consumption, however kangaroo holds less than 1per cent of the total sales in foodservice. For a free download of Foodservice Attitudes towards Kangaroo Meat, visit www.rirdc.gov.au/

Commodity outlook and financial performance of key agricultural industries

Agricultural production in some industries was significantly affected by drought in 2006-07. In most years, cereals for grain account for a larger share of the region’s total value of agricultural production. For example, in 2004-05 and 2005-06 the total value of cereal production accounted for around 56 per cent of the total value of production. However, in 2006-07 its share of the total value of agricultural production fell to around 46 per cent ($202 million). For a free download of  the  Commodity outlook and financial performance of key agricultural industries in the Yorke and Lower North region of South Australia, visit www.abare.gov.au/interactive/09_ConferencePapers/Clare/ 

Field peas - the ute guide

Western Australian grain growers using field peas in their rotation now have a handy guide available. Field peas – the ute guide assists growers in identifying varieties, managing nutrition, pests and disease, and making the most of marketing the crop. The guide has been produced by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) as part of its strategy of producing timely, relevant issue or crop-specific information for growers. Some 60 000 hectares of field peas are planted in Western Australia each year. To receive a copy of Field peas – the ute guide, email Ground Cover Direct at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it