PORTFOLIO NEWS

Australian agriculture boosting links with Latin America

A new international agreement between Australia and Chile has removed a major trade hurdle and opens the way for greater Australian beef exports to Chile. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two countries under which Chile will recognise Australia’s beef grading scheme. This change will remove one of the largest barriers facing Australian beef exports to Chile – the cost of employing Chilean beef graders. Read the joint media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/australian_agriculture_boosting_links_with_latin_america

Forest research to consider climate change impacts

The University of Tasmania, the CSIRO and GHD have been offered funding from the Australian Government to help address the impacts of climate change on our forest industries. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced the offers under the Government’s Forest Industries Climate Change Research Fund. Twenty projects have been offered support to-date under the research fund to help address major knowledge gaps about the impact of climate change on Australia’s forestry and forest industries. For more information on the grants go to www.daff.gov.au/ficcrf. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/forest_research_to_consider_climate_change_impacts

Marketing Australian timber to Asia

The National Association of Forest Industries will receive funding from the Australian Government to improve marketing strategies for Australian forestry products domestically and for developing markets in Asia. The funding of up to $60,619 will go towards a project to help identify consumer trends and barriers to more effective timber marketing both domestically and in Asia. The project is one of 14 to share in nearly $1.3 million from the Australian Government under the three-year Promoting Australian Produce initiative. For further information visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/marketing_australian_timber_to_asia

Australia and Russia: Enhancing our Agricultural Cooperation

Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith has signed a MoU on Agricultural Cooperation with Russia’s Minister for Agriculture, Dr Yelena Skrynnik. The MoU will support the exchange of Australian and Russian delegations, experts and scientists, as well as participation in agricultural trade shows, symposia, conventions and fora. DAFF will continue to work with Russian authorities to realise the full potential of the bilateral trade relationship, including securing the resumption of kangaroo meat exports to Russia. Read the joint media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/australia_and_russia_enhancing_our_agricultural_cooperation

Western Australian agricultural scientist wins McKell Medal

Western Australian agricultural scientist Mr Bill Crabtree has been awarded the most prestigious Australian award for excellence and achievement in natural resource management. Minister Burke has presented the McKell Medal to Mr Crabtree at the Natural Resource Management (NRM) Ministerial Council meeting recently held in Darwin. The McKell Medal is awarded annually by the NRM Ministerial Council to recognise outstanding achievements in shaping community attitudes and practices in natural resource management. Information on the McKell Medal is available online. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/western_australian_agricultural_scientist_wins_mckell_medal

Australian stonefruits heading for Taiwan

Summerfruit Australia will receive funding from the Australian Government to develop export and communication processes for Australian stonefruit into Asia and in particular Taiwan. Minister Burke announced up to $146,560 as part of a series of projects to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. The project is one of 14 to share in nearly $1.3 million from the Australian Government under the three-year Promoting Australian Produce initiative. For further information visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/australian_stonefruits_heading_for_taiwan

Marketing Aussie almonds in India

The Almond Board of Australia will receive funding from the Australian Government to develop a marketing campaign to increase almond exports to India. Minister Burke announced up to $50,000 for this project as one of 14 projects to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. For further information visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/macadamia_industry_to_make_inroads_to_india

Citrus Australia and the Australian Government to spruik mandarins overseas

Citrus Australia will receive up to $109,650 from the Australian Government to develop a national campaign for promoting Australian mandarins. The project is one of 14 to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. For further information visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/citrus_australia_and_the_rudd_government_to_spruik_mandarins_overseas

Promoting Australian wool worldwide

The Australian Wool Exchange will receive funding from the Australian Government to promote the quality of Australian wool and wool practices nationally and overseas. Minister Burke announced up to $164,750 for the project as one of 14 to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. For further information visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/promoting_australian_wool_worldwide

New chairman to lead Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation

Minister Burke has appointed Mr Rory McEwen as the new chair to the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation board. Minister Burke said the appointment comes at a critical time for the Australian wine industry, which is attempting to restructure in the face of an over-supply. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/new_chairman_to_lead_grape_and_wine_research_and_development_corporation

Supporting Australian timber in Victorian homes

Wood Products Victoria will receive funding from the Australian Government to help local timber producers remain competitive against importers in providing structural materials to the Victorian housing market. Wood Products Victoria will receive up to $22,500 to undertake a study of structural material used in Victorian houses. The project is one of 14 to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. For further information, visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/supporting_australian_timber_in_victorian_homes

Increasing demand for locally manufactured paper

The Australian Plantation Products and Paper Industry Council will receive funding from the Australian Government to develop marketing tools to help consumers judge the environmental performance of Australian forestry and wood products. Minister Burke announced up to $50,000 for the project as one of 14 to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. For further information visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/increasing_demand_for_locally_manufactured_paper

Quarantine horse import reforms on track

The Australian Government is on target to deliver on all the recommendations from the 2007 equine influenza inquiry with most now complete, including defining the conditions for horse imports into Australia. Minister Burke has welcomed the findings in the fourth report from Professor Peter Shergold AC. The report can be found at www.daff.gov.au/aqis/about/eiimplementation. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/quarantine_horse_import_reforms_on_track

Connecting Australia's produce and floral industries

Produce Marketing Association Australia New Zealand will receive funding from the Australian Government to run a series of seminars for producers and floral businesses to build capacity and improve networking and promotion activities. The funding of up to $150,000 will be used to run 6 one-day ‘fresh forums’ to provide horticulture producers and commercial growers with business tools and networking opportunities to more effectively promote their products. The project is one of 14 to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. For further information visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/connecting_australias_produce_and_floral_industries

Macadamia industry to make inroads to India

The Australian Macadamia Society will receive funding from the Australian Government to develop a strategic marketing plan to promote Australian macadamias in India. The Australian Macadamia Society will receive up to $169,950 in funding under the Promoting Australian Produce program. The project is one of 14  to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. For further information visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/macadamia_industry_to_make_inroads_to_india

Helping farmers plan to hand the reins to the next generation

The Government has acted on a key recommendation from the drought policy review to better help older farmers plan to hand their farms on to the next generation. Minister Burke has announced an extra $2.43 million for the Rural Financial Counselling Service. With the extra funding, Mr Burke said he had asked that issues surrounding succession planning should, for the first time, be a key focus for rural financial counsellors. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/helping_farmers_plan_to_hand_the_reins_to_the_next_generation

Branding WA produce

The Food Industry Association will receive funding from the Australian Government to investigate the merits of developing an industry brand to promote Western Australian produce domestically and overseas. The Food Industry Association will use up to $50,000 in funding to study options for developing and implementing an industry-funded brand for Western Australian food and beverage products. The project is one of 14 projects to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. For further information visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/branding_wa_produce

Building the competitiveness of Australian apple growers

Fruit marketing company Towac Fruit Export Cooperative will receive funding from the Australian Government to develop a strategic plan to help build the competitiveness and resilience of the Australian apple industry. The project is one of 14 to help promote Australia’s food and forest industries to domestic and export markets. For further information visit www.daff.gov.au/ausproduce. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/building_the_competitiveness_of_australian_apple_growers

Bundarra drought assistance referred for independent advice

The Australian Government has referred an Exceptional Circumstances (EC) submission from the NSW Government to the independent National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC). Minister Burke received a submission from NSW Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan, seeking a review of NRAC’s recommendation not to extend the EC declaration for the Bundarra region. More information on EC assistance can be found at www.daff.gov.au/agricuture-food/drought/ec. Read the media release at http://www.maff.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/april/bundarra_drought_assistance_referred_for_independent_advice

PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS

Spring heatwave leads to a drop in wine grape production

Total Australian wine grape production is forecast to fall by 7 per cent to 1.62 million tonnes in 2009-10, reflecting the heat wave in November 2009 in parts of inland south-eastern Australia. These and other projections are part of a new report, Australian Wine Grape Production Projections to 2011-12, released by ABARE. Read the report—Australian Wine Grape Production Projections to 2011-12—on the ABARE website (www.abare.gov.au) by following the latest releases menu.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY
www.daff.gov.au    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it     GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601.