From the 29th of June, Australia's small exports are set to become better off, thanks to a funding boost under the Coalition Government's $15 million Package Assisting Smaller Exporters Programme.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, said the Coalition had signed free trade agreements, opened up new markets and was working to support smaller exporters land their produce on foreign shores.
"Smaller exporters lack some of the advantages of the bigger players when it comes to getting their product to market," Minister Joyce said.
"The Coalition is delivering much needed support to open doors for exporting businesses.
"Cherry growers in Young and New South Wales' Central Tablelands will benefit from a $343,400 grant to the NSW Department of Primary Industries to trial the effectiveness of growers' pest control systems to ensure fruit is blemish and fruit fly free," Minister Joyce said.
"The project is supported by the NSW Farmers' Association and NSW Cherry Growers because of the prospects of being able to scientifically prove to South East Asian markets the effectiveness of the industry's pest control mechanisms.
"Apple and Pear Australia Limited will receive a $120,835 grant to develop an online system to enable small apple and pear exporters to undergo the export accreditation process in a streamlined manner and to develop market access documentation that will assist the industry negotiate technical market access and respond quickly and effectively to any future market disruptions.
Minister Joyce said the Coalition had achieved 70 key market access gains or restorations of suspended markets since 2013, and 35 key market access improvements or actions to maintain market access in the agriculture sector alone.
"To help our farmers capitalise on these trade deals, the Coalition is investing $30.8 million through the Ag White Paper to break down technical barriers to trade, and placed five new agricultural counsellors in key markets of Vietnam, Malaysia, the Middle East, China and Thailand.
"The Coalition know that as a trading nation producing far more than we could ever consume, exports underpin the profitability of our agriculture sector. That's why we prioritise trade and market access and we will continue to do so into the future."
For more information:
Liberal Party of Australia
Tel: 02 6273 2564
Fax: 02 6273 1534