In launching the Blueprint for “Securing Food Production and Supply for SA to 2025 and Beyond” the Coalition today says a closer working relationship is needed with the State Government to ensure a level of profitability in the industry.
“At present most sectors of the horticulture industry struggle to make a profit - but we are not looking at any handouts,” said the Chair of the Horticulture Coalition of SA Inc. Trevor Ranford.
“Unfortunately though, major barriers to profitability and therefore our future are overbearing costs and hurdles at a state government level.”
The Blueprint is calling for action to establish a greater working relationship with state government and more action on issues affecting members’ livelihoods such as biosecurity, taxation, research and development, planning and water security.
“First we need the new State Government - Labor, Liberal or otherwise - to recognise our peak body and our industry as a critical part of South Australia’s future and work with us to secure our food supply. And it is not only about our food, but also about jobs.”
“The South Australian horticulture industry is an important business sector for the state creating $900million at farm gate. The industry consists of 3,500 small to medium business employing 13,500 permanent and an additional 24,000 seasonal staff. Those people are out there ‘manufacturing’ food for South Australians and for export.”
Trevor Ranford said while the current State Government says its vision is for a vibrant agribusiness sector that continues to grow and provide high quality, safe, clean food that is sustainable and internationally competitive, it is not partnering with industry to achieve that.
“We need to work together to remove some of the state taxation and planning obstacles which add greatly to our costs, to improve research and development so that all food production can be best practice, improve productivity and to give confidence to the 3,500 businesses that they are an integral part of South Australia’s future.”
Among the Blueprint’s recommendations are:
- A partnership with the State Government to prepare a 10 year horticulture vision and plan
- A new South Australian Horticulture Research, Development and Extension Council which includes industry, government and research organisations
- Land used or to facilitate horticultural production to be exempt from land tax
- A SA Horticulture Planning Advisory Group is established to identify and protect food production land to ensure food production and supply
- A third pillar alongside environment and critical human needs should be created for
- food production in Water Allocation Plans
- Government to maintain and increase support for Biosecurity SA within PIRSA with resources and personnel to safeguard the food and amenity horticulture sector
- Payroll tax in SA should be the most competitive in Australia to keep food production in this state
- A SA Horticulture Environmental Stewardship Program be established
- $20 million over four years to promote healthy eating and increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables
- That the Federal Government work more closely with industry in regards to labelling to enable consumers to have greater confidence in the quality and origin of the food products they purchase.