Europe Edition
A strong biosecurity system is essential to protecting our economy, environment, and ongoing access to clean, safe, and healthy food. The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) welcomes the Federal government's additional investment in biosecurity of over $1 billion for the next 4 years.
Potential incursions of foreign pests and diseases not only threaten the viability of the fresh produce industry but also risks impacting Australian households through reduced food security and increased food prices. The AFPA has consistently advocated for increased funding for biosecurity from general revenue to reflect the shared benefits of a strong biosecurity system.
"Farmers should not bear the brunt of the cost of a biosecurity system that ensures that all Australians will continue to have access to fresh food; all Australians benefit from a robust, efficient, and effective biosecurity system. While we would like to see the balance of funding shift further to properly reflect the shared benefits of a robust biosecurity system, the additional funding is welcome and will strengthen Australia's biosecurity to help ensure our nation is better protected," said AFPA CEO Claire McClelland.
The AFPA also welcomes the much-needed funding support for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to ensure it can continue to deliver on its objectives and services, including supporting the management of biosecurity threats and outbreaks should they occur.
"The biosecurity risks facing Australia's agricultural industries are continually evolving, and the Department plays a critical role in mitigating these risks. We encourage the government to continue to increase funding as required to address the new and evolving risks, as we simply cannot afford for Australia's biosecurity system to become compromised," said Ms. McClelland.
While this year's funding provides temporary relief for the Department, the government must look at viable, long-term funding solutions for the Department that does not overburden the industry, which is already
supporting the Department through some of the highest cost recovery arrangements in the OECD.
"The fresh produce industry is a crucial contributor to the Australian economy, generating billions of dollars in our economy annually and supporting tens of thousands of jobs. The government must look to solve the Department's funding shortfall over the long term or risk the industry's growth, sustainability, and biosecurity system," said Ms. McClelland.
The AFPA also acknowledges the government's provision of $370.8 million over 4 years to expand and improve the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. PALM workers are vital to the fresh produce industry's ability to deliver fresh produce to Australian households and international markets.
"The rapid growth of the PALM scheme coupled with significant changes the brought into effect and currently under consultation continues to put a strain on the program, risking its ongoing success.
While the AFPA supports any additional funding to assure the PALM Scheme's ongoing operations, we need to ensure that the program meets the needs of Pacific partners, workers, and employers engaged in the Scheme," said Ms. McClelland.
For more information:
Claire McClelland
AFPA
Tel.: +61 400 158 193
info@freshproduce.org.au
Announcements
Vacancies
- Growing Manager for Hydroponic strawberry producer
- Sales Manager
- Regional Sales Manager Fresh Produce
- Head Grower Strawberries, Norway
- Außendienstmitarbeiter Substraten
- Export Trade Manager
- Business Developer - Northern Europe
- Orchard Sector Manager
- Grower
- International Citrus Account Manager
Specials more
Budget delivers investment in biosecurity and much needed funding relief for DAFF
Publication date:
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2023-09-19 Solidus appoints Jesse Rep as Head of Sustainability
- 2023-09-14 Restrain appoints Dr. Benedikt Cramer as new Managing Director
- 2023-09-13 Raquel Aguado appointed as director at Fedemco
- 2023-09-08 “To what extent can we trust the authenticity of our fruit?”
- 2023-09-01 Workforce shortages worsen and grower sentiment plummets one year on from Jobs & Skills Summit
- 2023-08-30 Victorian celery farm underpaid migrants more than $91,000
- 2023-08-28 Abrafrutas defends the restructuring and competition for Agricultural Auditors
- 2023-08-23 ‘Delays to new border checks are causing huge uncertainty’
- 2023-08-22 Sun World strengthens and expands Global Licensing Team
- 2023-08-18 Australian experts claim more money or time needed to complete water buybacks
- 2023-08-16 US: Farmer funding opportunities database launched
- 2023-08-11 Brisbane remembers Mike Ahern
- 2023-08-11 'Changes to Pacific Islander Labour Mobility scheme lack seasonal flexibility'
- 2023-08-08 Kettle Produce must seek planning permission to expand seasonal worker's accommodation
- 2023-08-08 PM Sunak's proposed visa fee hike sparks protests
- 2023-08-07 Jimmy Russo appointed as new president of UK's Lea Valley Growers’ Association
- 2023-07-21 India and UAE sign MoUs to internationalize use of the rupee
- 2023-07-21 Albanese government will invest $2.8 mln to bolster biosecurity capability
- 2023-07-20 Spain installs working group to boost the desalination plant of La Axarquía
- 2023-07-19 Eskom returns generating units to service, hoping to ease load shedding
