No joy for melon industry in Queensland budget

The Queensland melon industry, threatened by a biosecurity incursion of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV), has voiced disappointment with the response by the Queensland Government in its 2015 Budget. The Queensland melon industry is valued at $90 million and the broader cucurbit industry that includes zucchini, pumpkin and cucumber, and is also threatened by CGMMV, has an estimated value of $300 million.

There is no allocation in the Budget to support the fight against CGMMV and no compensation for the affected grower who has been quarantined and had his crops destroyed. In a Parliamentary reply to the Member for Lockyer on 7th May, the Minister for Agriculture itemised a spending of $110,000 this far in the fight against CGMMV.

This seems a poor comparison to the $9.8 million announced to fight Panama Tropical Race 4 (TR4) in the Queensland banana industry. The $9.8 million allocation comes on top of the $4 million already spent to contain TR4 since it was found on one farm in the Tully Valley in early March.

The Minister Bill Byrne said he is determined to do everything possible to protect the $600 million banana industry. However, despite numerous requests, the Minister for Agriculture has yet to meet with melon industry representatives to discuss the significant threat that CGMMV poses.

For more information:
Dianne Fullelove
Australian Melon Association Inc
Tel: +61 07 3374 0453
Email: idp@melonsaustralia.org.au