PORTFOLIO NEWS

Making Australia's forest industries more competitive

A new processing facility, an upgrade of a plywood plant and an Indigenous housing project are among six forestry initiatives to share in more than $2.3 million from the Australian Government. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has announced the first grants under the Forest Industries Development Fund. For more information on the grants go to www.daff.gov.au/fidf. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/november/making_australias_forest_industries_more_competitive

150 landowners join with government to protect endangered woodland

The Australian Government has formed partnerships with 150 landowners to date to help protect around 11,000 hectares of endangered Box Gum Grassy Woodland on their properties. The voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program brings landowners and government together to protect key endangered ecological communities or threatened species. For more information go to www.nrm.gov.au/stewardship. Read the joint media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/november/150_landowners_join_with_govt_to_protect_endangered_woodland

Abattoirs' preparation of red meat discussed at Ministerial Council

The issue of abattoirs preparing red meat according to religious principles was discussed by state, territory and federal primary industries ministers in Perth recently. Ministers agreed that jurisdictions would use compatible risk management measures to reduce adverse animal welfare outcomes. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/november/abattoirs_preparation_of_red_meat_discussed_at_ministerial_council

Grain industry code promotes a fair deal for all

A voluntary code of conduct covering Australia’s $11 billion grain industry will help improve pricing and charges transparency for Australian producers. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the Australian Grain Industry Code of Conduct would promote equitable trading across the sector, including transactions at the silo. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/november/grain_industry_code_promotes_a_fair_deal_for_all

Call for recognition of Australia's sustainable forestry practices

State, territory and federal governments have called on the Green Building Council of Australia to recognise sustainable forestry practices in the domestic industry. The Green Building Council of Australia oversees the green building credit rating system – a voluntary system which rates the environmental design and construction of buildings. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/november/call_for_recognition_of_australias_sustainable_forestry_practices

Receive the latest media release headlines from Minister Tony Burke direct to your RSS news reader—subscribe at http://www.maff.gov.au/media

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Australia’s forest sector now hit by global financial crisis

ABARE’s biannual report, Australian forest and wood products statistics, reveals a significant downturn in forest product production and exports, as the industry is affected by the international downturn in forest products trade and a drop in domestic housing sector demand. Read the report, Australian forest and wood products statistics, March/June quarters 2009, on the ABARE website by following the latest releases menu.

Australian grains outlook

A new ABARE report summarises the short-term outlook for grains and oilseeds, drawing on the September edition of the Australian Crop Report and Australian Commodities. The report provides an update of ABARE's grains industry productivity estimates which continues to find a slowdown in long-term productivity growth rates. Read the report, Grains outlook to 2009-10 and industry productivity (Australian Grains 09.2), on the ABARE website by following the latest releases menu.