PORTFOLIO NEWS

Significant step forward in fight against illegal logging

The government has taken another significant step forward in the fight against illegal logging with the release of a draft regulatory impact statement for consultation. The draft statement is a key milestone in the process of developing effective new policies to combat illegal logging. It was produced by the independent Centre for International Economics (CIE), which looked at a range of policy options and their costs and benefits. Visit www.daff.gov.au/forestry/international/illegal-logging for a free download of the draft regulatory impact statement. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/october/significant_step_forward_in_fight_against_illegal_logging

Recognising Australia's rural women

The government has acknowledged the hard work and talent of Australian women working and living in rural areas, ahead of the 14th UN World Rural Women’s Day on 15 October. The government also announced the opening of the second round of applications for grants under the Recognising Women Farmers program. More than 70 groups have already shared in $2.8 million in funding under the program, to help more rural women take up leadership roles and strengthen their leadership skills. Read the media release at www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/october/recognising_australias_rural_women_on_world_rural_womens_day 

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

The Australian Master Tree Grower Program: Providing a sound foundation for Australian agroforestry

The Australian Master Tree Grower (MTG) Program has delivered more than 80 eight-day courses across Australia involving more than 1700 participants. This review of the MTG by RIRDC highlights the importance of farmer-to-farmer communication. It also highlights the development of information networks that provide a mutually respectful communication link between landholders and the researchers, policy makers, industry and government agencies that influence their land management decisions. For a free download of the report, visit https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/09-157

 EVENTS

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/