Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair says there is huge domestic and international demand for NSW's high-quality food and fibre products.
“NSW has a strong reputation as a reliable source of premium food products, particularly to markets such as China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore,” Mr Blair said. “Right now, we are facing one of the driest winters on record, but no matter where I travel farmers are reminding me that although times are tough, they are continuing to produce some of the world’s best agricultural output. When looking for ways to help our farmers, everyone should be buying NSW produce. It’s important we don’t talk ourselves out of our trade markets, they’re vital to our continued growth in the industry.”
Mr Blair adds that NSW is home to some of the country’s most resilient, driven and innovative farmers and the primary industries sector is worth more than $15.4 billion and supports over 100,000 jobs in regional NSW.
Photo credit: Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (Twitter)
“We urge everyone to look for Australian-made food and fibre products to support Australia's agriculture industry so it can continue to produce world-leading products for local and international markets,” he said.
CEO of Rural Bank, Alexandra Gartmann says many of our NSW and Queensland farming customers have shared with us the challenges both financially and emotionally in responding to the current drought conditions.
“However, Australian farmers are modern, resilient and sophisticated business people, who understand the vagaries and cycles of Australian agriculture,” he said. “They are focused on operating and sustaining their farming enterprises, whilst remaining dedicated to producing high-quality food and fibre for Australia and the world.”
Meanwhile, the Queensland Drought Appeal passed the million-dollar mark earlier this week, with more than a quarter of a million dollars already administered to 98 families around the state in Longreach, Winton, Goondiwindi, Charleville, Cunnamulla.
“These donations have gone towards urgent financial assistance for medical, dental and other essential items, as well as electricity, rates,” Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said.
He adds in addition to the $670 million in assistance allocated to producers to date in this drought, an additional $9 million in assistance had been provided by the Palaszczuk Government to Queenslanders. There will also be an additional $2 million that will be used to provide financial counselling to small businesses impacted by drought.
The Federal Government also increased drought support investment to $1.8 billion, in the form of additional funding for local infrastructure in drought-affected areas, new tax breaks for farmers and low-interest loans. As well as the appointment of Major General Stephen Day to the position of Drought Coordinator, with his role to liaise with Governments, charities, donors and communities to coordinate drought assistance and to identify gaps and risks.
For more information on drought assistance (within Australia):
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
Phone: 1800 808 095
Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Phone: 13 25 23.