PORTFOLIO NEWS

Helping drought-affected families with education expenses

The Minister for Education Julia Gillard and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke have announced funding of $17.4 million, to assist rural families whose children attend schools in drought-affected areas with education expenses. More than forty regions are eligible for Exceptional Circumstances drought assistance, covering around one-third of Australia’s agricultural land. The funding will go towards approximately 2310 primary and secondary schools in those regions. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/october/helping_drought-affected_families_with_education_expenses

Farmers helping to save the Great Barrier Reef

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke and Member for Capricornia Kirsten Livermore have met with North Queensland cane farmers and graziers to discuss how new farming techniques are helping to save the Great Barrier Reef. The properties are among more than 770 farms involved in the Rudd Government’s $200 million Reef Rescue program. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/october/farmers_helping_to_save_the_great_barrier_reef

Tasmanian dairy farmers invited to meet with Federal representatives

Tasmanian dairy farmers will be invited to attend a meeting with representatives from the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry next week. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said he had asked the representatives to travel to the north west of Tasmania to discuss existing assistance measures and how they can help farmers. The team will meet with farmers and dairy industry representatives to talk about the range of hardships facing farmers in the region. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/october/tasmanian_dairy_farmers_invited_to_meet_with_federal_representatives

Report sheds new light on management of Commonwealth fish stocks

The government has significantly increased the confirmed number of fish stocks which are being managed sustainably. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has welcomed the findings of the independent Fishery status reports 2008. It assesses 98 fish stocks which are managed or jointly managed by the Commonwealth over the 2008 calendar year or fishing season. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/october/report_sheds_new_light_on_management_of_commonwealth_fish_stocks

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Fishery status reports 2008

A report recently released by BRS and ABARE is the first joint independent evaluation of the biological and economic status of fish stocks and fisheries managed or jointly managed by the Australian Government. Fishery status reports 2008 provides trends in stock status and highlights emerging issues that may affect the fishing industry, fisheries management and the broader community. In 2007-08, Commonwealth fisheries generated $289M, contributing 13% to the total value of Australian fisheries production. For a free download of the report, visit www.daff.gov.au/brs/fisheries-marine/info/fishery_status_reports_2008

Equine Amnionitis and Foetal Loss: The role of caterpillars

Reproductive loss is a major cause of wastage in the thoroughbred breeding industry, according to a report released by RIRDC this week.  In 2004 a series of abortions were described in NSW that showed an unusual and consistent pattern of clinical and pathological signs. The condition, equine amnionitis and foetal loss (EAFL), had not been previously reported. The case definition showed similarities to descriptions of abortions associated with a condition called mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS) reported in the USA. For a free download of Equine Amnionitis and Foetal Loss: The role of caterpillars, visit https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/09-155

EVENTS

Time to Act

Farmsafe WA Alliance is hosting the seventh National Farm Health and Safety Conference, Time to Act,  from 13 to 15 October 2009. The conference aims to reflect on the safety of farming and rural communities. The conference provides an excellent opportunity for attendees to discuss safety issues and learn various injury prevention strategies surrounding the agricultural sector. For further information, visit www.farmsafewa.org/page/National-Conference.aspx or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Global Biosecurity 2010

An international biosecurity conference will be held in Brisbane from 28 February – 3 March 2010. Global Biosecurity 2012 is Australia's first international conference and exhibition to focus on agricultural and environmental biosecurity. Registration is now open via the conference website. Visit www.globalbiosecurity2010.com/