PORTFOLIO NEWS

Government releases Horticulture Code of Conduct report

The Australian Government has released a report looking at the horticulture industry which recommends a range of measures to deliver fairer prices for fruit and vegetable growers. It follows an earlier investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission into grocery prices, which made 13 recommendations relating to horticulture. The report can be found at www.daff.gov.au/hortcode. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/november/government_releases_horticulture_code_of_conduct_report

Australia and China working together to combat illegal logging

The Australian Government has signed an historic agreement with China that will see the two countries working closely together to tackle illegal logging. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the Chinese Government recognised the need for an international approach to the problem of illegal logging. Under the agreement, the governments will work together to identify a mechanism to certify and verify the legal origin of wood products. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/october/australia_and_china_working_together_to_combat_illegal_logging

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PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

DAFF's annual report

The 2008-09 Annual Report provides an overview of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, its organisational structure and method of operation. Additionally, it illustrates DAFF's key achievements in 2008-09 and the corporate directions it followed during 2008-09. View the 2008-09 Annual Report (http://www.daff.gov.au/about/annualreport/annual-report-2008-09/annual-report-2008-09). If you would like assistance in accessing this information please contact Corporate Communciations on 02 6272 5120 or +61 2 6272 5120.

ABARE looks at innovations in farming

Most Australian broadacre and dairy farms introduced at least one new farm management practice or technology over the two years ending 2007-08 according to a new ABARE report. The report, Farm innovation in the broadacre and dairy industries 2006-07 to 2007-08, outlines innovations made on Australian farms including new cropping equipment, improved irrigation and water management practices, and changed fertiliser and soil management practices. The report looks at the proportion of broadacre and dairy farms adopting innovative changes across production, farm and natural resource management activities and analyses the characteristics of farms’ making changes. Read the report at www.abare.gov.au by following the 'Latest Releases' menu.

EVENTS

Outlook 2010 – 2-3 March 2010

ABARE is proudly marking the 40th anniversary of the Outlook conferences next year with Outlook 2010.

Held on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 March in Canberra, the conference will feature sessions on the economic overview, agriculture and greenhouse gas mitigation, future directions for trade policy, farm performance, productivity, water policy, food security and biosecurity, as well as the key commodities.

Keynote speakers and registration details will be announced soon, so keep an eye on the Outlook website, www.abare.gov.au/outlook, for the release of the full program and registration information.

For further information, contact Maree Finnegan, Marketing and Events Manager, on 02 6272 2260 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it