Outcomes and planned performance

Contributions to Outcome 1

Program 1.1: Tackling Climate Change – Australia's Farming Future – Climate Change

Program objective

• To equip primary producers to adapt and adjust to climate change while increasing productivity.
  
• This program has a collective focus operating through a service mechanism. The program undertakes advising/informing activities through third party service delivery.

Program expenses

This four year initiative commenced in 2008–09 and is expected to be complete by 2011–12.

Program 1.1 deliverables

FarmReady provides $26.5 million over the period 2008–09 to 2011–12 to improve adoption of risk management and business management skills, increase adoption of new technologies and best practice management to enable primary producers and industries to adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change.

• The program consists of two separate elements:
  
  - FarmReady Reimbursement Grants to individual primary producers and Indigenous land managers to attend approved climate change training activities
  
  - FarmReady Industry Grants to industry organisations, farming groups and natural resource management groups to undertake projects that will enable their members to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
  
• Community Networks and Capacity Building (CNCB) provides funding to increase the leadership and representative capacity of target groups to strengthen primary industry productivity and build rural, regional and remote community resilience to a changing climate. The target groups include women, youth, Indigenous Australians and people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
  
• Information Services implements a communications strategy through targeted activities to assist primary producers manage for climate change.
  
• The department will work with Centrelink, who is contracted to deliver the Climate Change Adjustment Program (CCAP). The program components to be delivered are:
  
   - an advice and training grant of up to $5,500
  
   - a re-establishment grant of up to $150,000.
  
• The Climate Change Research Program (CCRP) aims to deliver research activities that provide tools, technology and techniques to primary producers.

Program 1.1 Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.2: Sustainable Management – Natural Resources

Program objective

• To promote resource management practices that strengthen the capacity for the sustainable use of Australia’s natural assets in a changing climate.
  
• This program has and individual or collective focus operating through a cash or service mechanism. The program undertakes supporting, assisting and informing activities through transfer or third party service delivery.

Program expenses

Program 1.2 Deliverables

Departmental

• Invest Caring for our Country funds in projects under the 2009–10 Caring for our Country business plan using the program monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement (MERI) framework.
  
• Caring for our Country 2010–11 Business Plan released.
  
• Release of the 2008–09 annual report card for Caring for our Country, reporting progress towards achieving outcomes.
  
• Invest in improved land management practices to reduce the risk of soil acidification and soil loss through wind erosion, water erosion and improved carbon content of soils.
  
• Invest in activities that assist farmers in adopting practices that contribute to the ongoing conservation and protection of the environment.
  
• Invest in improving the knowledge and skills of landholders in natural resource management.
  
• Transfer of funding from government to the Australian Weeds Research Centre.
  
• Fund 28 research projects valued at $2.5 million.
  
• Increase the number of farmers who improve their knowledge skills and engagement in managing our natural resources and who implement sustainable farm and land management practices to improve productivity and deliver ecosystem services.

Program 1.2 Key Performance Indicators

• Delivery against targets identified in the 2009–10 Caring for our Country business plan.
  
• The number of farmers who increase their sustainable farm management practices.
  
• Strengthen a national approach to weed research and reduce duplication.
  
• Improved knowledge, skills and engagement of land managers in managing natural resources and the environment.
  Reduced soil acidification and soil loss through wind erosion, water erosion and improvement in the carbon content of soils.

Program 1.3: Forestry Industry

Program objective

• To assist our forestry industry to grow, improve and capitalise on new opportunities while protecting the environment. This will be achieved through supporting the Australian forest industry by addressing the issues of skills shortages, improving the international competitiveness of Australian timber products, building a forest industry database, restricting the importation of illegally logged timber and preparing the forest industries for climate change.
  
• This program has an individual or collective focus operating through a cash or service mechanism. The program undertakes supporting, and advising/informing activities through direct service or third party service delivery.

Program expenses

• The Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement program concluded in 2008–09.

Program 1.3 Deliverables

• Provide high quality and timely policy advice on forestry issues.
  
• Deliver election commitments with regard to Preparing Australia’s Forest Industries for the future.
  
• Continue support for the Regional Forest Agreements (RFA).
  
• Achieve consensus on policy directions through intergovernmental and industry policy processes.
  
• Deliver departmental programs to enhance the capacity for, and implementation of, sustainable forest management activities in the Asia-Pacific region.
  
• Develop an illegal logging policy.
  
• Payment of levy funds to Forests and Wood Products Australia.

Australia’s Forest Industry – preparing for the future

• Develop a forest industries database to assist industry in planning for future labour requirements and to prepare for the future.
  
• Support the forestry industry to address knowledge gaps with regard to climate change through a call for research and the delivery of climate modelling.
  
• Restrict the importation of illegally logged forest products through supporting the development of an illegal logging policy and assisting industry with the development of industry codes.

Program 1.3 Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.4: Fishing Industry

Program objective

• To support and encourage productive, sustainable and competitive fishing and aquaculture industries through the development and implementation of an appropriate policy and legislative framework, domestic fisheries governance activities, the implementation of structural adjustment and community grants programs and the oversight of targeted research that meets Government objectives.
  
• This program has an individual or collective focus operating through a cash or service mechanism. The program undertakes supporting, advising/informing and regulating activities through transfer or third party service delivery.

Program expenses

Program 1.4 Deliverables

Recreational Fishing Industry Development Strategy

• Establish a recreational fishing advisory committee and support the committee
  
• Review a National Recreational Fishing Policy and implement a recreational fishing industry strategy
  
• Deliver project initiatives to support the recreational fishing industry

Program 1.4 Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.5: Horticulture Industry

Program objective

• To advance and improve the competitiveness of Australia’s horticulture industry, and to achieve supply chain competitiveness, structural adjustment and innovative practices within the industry.
  
• Work to support longer term food and beverage industry competitiveness, including in respect to the organic industry sector.
  
• Monitor the international food security situation, providing regular updates and ensuring coordinated portfolio input into a whole of government approach to addressing food security needs.
  
• This program has an individual or collective focus operating through a cash or service mechanism. The program undertakes supporting and regulating activities through transfer or third party service delivery.

Program expenses

The Regional Food Producers’ Innovation and Productivity program was a four year initiative introduced in the 2008–09 budget.

Program 1.5 Deliverables

• The Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program provides matched-funding grants to food and seafood businesses to boost their productivity and competitiveness through innovation and technology improvements.
  
• Promoting Australian Produce aims to assist Australian food industries develop their capacity to promote and market Australian produce to domestic and export markets. A specific component is available to support major events for the food and fibre industries to encourage information exchange across the value chain.

Departmental

• Establish and implement a domestic standard for organic and biodynamic produce.
  
• Provide high quality and timely advice on food security, implementation of food security measures as required and coordinate food security issues within the department.
  
• Undertake high level liaison with horticultural and wine industry representatives to discuss policy issues.
  
• Implement and monitor a statutory funding agreement for the deployment of horticultural industry levy funds.
  
• Payment of levy funds to Horticulture Australia Limited.

Horticulture Code of Conduct

Provide a fair and equitable dispute resolution service by funding the cost of administering the mediation service and the cost of mediation fees.

Program 1.5 Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.6: Wool Industry

Program objective

• To assist the wool industry become more competitive and self-reliant through advice to Government and development of policies which assist to improve commercial performance and responsiveness to market conditions.
  
• To contribute to the management of international trade and market access issues associated with wool.
  
• This program has a collective focus operating through a cash mechanism. The program undertakes supporting activities through transfer delivery.

Program expenses

Program 1.6 Deliverables

• To provide policy advice and support to the Minister on wool industry issues.
  
• To liaise with the industry services body, Australian Wool Innovation Ltd.
  

 

Program 1.6 Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.7: Grains Industry

Program objective

To contribute to the effective delivery of government initiatives to help the transition to the new wheat export marketing arrangements.
To protect and advance Australia’s trade interests and market access for the grains industry, in consultation with industry and key government agencies.
This program has a collective focus operating through a cash mechanism. The program undertakes supporting activities through transfer delivery.

Program expenses

Program 1.7 Deliverables

• Oversee delivery of the wheat market information project through Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE).
  
• Oversee implementation of wheat access undertakings by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), as required under the Wheat Export Marketing Act 2008.
  

Program 1.7 Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.8: Dairy Industry

Program objective

• To assist the dairy industry become more competitive and self-reliant through advice to Government and development of policies which assist to improve commercial performance and responsiveness to market conditions.
  
• To contribute to the management of international trade and market access issues associated with the dairy industry.
  
• This program has a collective focus operating through a cash mechanism. The program undertakes supporting activities through transfer delivery.

Program expenses

• The reduction in expenses between 2008–09 and 2009–10 is due to lifting the tax on fresh milk by abolishing the Dairy Adjustment Levy.

Program 1.8 Deliverables

• To provide policy advice and support to the Minister on dairy industry issues.
  
• To liaise with the industry services body Dairy Australia Ltd.

Program 1.8 Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.9: Meat and Livestock Industry

Program objective

• To support industry development and regulation for the meat industry (beef, buffalo, pigmeat, sheepmeat and goatmeat). Provide policy advice, structural adjustment, facilitation of the provision of statutory funding for research and development and delivering administered funding.
  
• Maintain and improve international market access opportunities for Australian meat and livestock industries.
  
• Deliver efficient and effective quota administration to Australian red meat exporters.
  
• This program has a collective focusoperating through a cash mechanism. The program undertakes supporting activities through transfer delivery.

Program expenses



Program 1.9 Deliverables

• Provision of high quality and timely advice to government and the industry on issues affecting the meat and livestock industry.
  
• Provision of high quality and timely advice to government and the industry on issues of quota management affecting the meat and livestock industry.

Program 1.9 Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.10: Agricultural Resources

Program objective

• Provide research, analysis and tools that improve the quality of decision making by government and industry.
  
• Provide support to agricultural industries for research and adaptation.
  
• To sustain agricultural industries in a changing climate.
  
• This program has a collective focusoperating through a cash or service mechanism. The program undertakes supporting, advising/informing and supporting activities through transfer, direct service or third party service delivery.

Program expenses

The reduction in expenses from 2008–09 to 2009–10 includes a reduction to the appropriations paid to AFMA as from 2009–10 AFMA are directly appropriated from Government. 

Program 1.10 Deliverables

Agricultural Productivity Departmental

• Provide advice on primary industries research and development (R&D) policy and governance matters and on commodity issues.
  
• Manage compliance by rural research and development corporations (RDCs) with statutory obligations.
  
• Agreed changes to statutory levies implemented consistent with departmental guidelines, pay levy funds collected to RDCs and industry services bodies.
  
• Provide advice and support to the minister and executive on new and emerging technologies, in particular the use and potential of biotechnology (including genetically modified crops) and nanotechnology applications in portfolio industries, in a timely fashion.
  
• Inform consideration and debate on the application of new and emerging technologies in portfolio industries and impacts on the supply chain.
  
• Advice to the Minister on the effects of low water availability on irrigated industries and assisting those industries to respond.
  
• Contribute to whole-of-government consideration of water and irrigation policies and programs.
  
• Consultation with the egg industry in relation to its obligation under its statutory funding agreement twice yearly.
  
• Consultation with industry on feedgrain and fodder supply and demand issues, including through the Feedgrain Partnership twice yearly.
  
• Provide policy and secretariat support to the Rural Research and Development Council at their quarterly meetings.

Economic research

Provide economic analysis and research to support informed and evidence-based decision making for government and external stakeholders.

Scientific advice

Provide effective and policy relevant scientific advice.

Program 1.10 Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.11: Drought Programs

Program objective

• Provide support to eligible primary producers (including irrigators) and small businesses with targeted short term support during drought, exceptional circumstance events and reduced water allocations/availability.
  
• This program has an individual focus operating through a cash mechanism. The program undertakes supporting activities through transfer delivery.

Linked to:

• Farm Household Support Act 1992, s. 57(3) – Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment delivered by Centrelink.
  
• Exceptional Circumstances through program 1.33 Treasury payment to/through states – Rural Assistance (Refer Table 1.3).

Program expenses

The reduction in expenses between 2008–09 and 2009–10 is due mainly to:

• the transfer of the interest rate subsidy delivered by the states under the Exceptional Circumstances program to the Commonwealth Treasury
  
• the cessation of funding for the Murray-Darling Basin Grants Irrigators program
  
• fewer exceptional circumstances declared areas.

The reduction in expenses between 2009–10 and 2010–11 is due to the cessation of drought programs.

 

Program 1.11 Deliverables

Payments made to applicants who are eligible for assistance according to protocols and guidelines are correctly assessed and made for the following sub-program activities:

• Interim Income Support
• Murray-Darling Basin Grants to Irrigators
• Professional Advice and Planning Grants
• Drought Assistance – Re-establishment Assistance
• Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy
• Farm Household Support Act 1992, s 57(3) – Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment
• Quantitative and qualitative information on the achievement of deliverables and services will be obtained through client surveys, performance audits and program reviews.

Program 1.11 Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.12: Rural Programs

Program objective

• To provide targeted support to eligible primary producers, fishers and small businesses to manage adjustment pressures to remain viable in the long-term.
  
• This program has an individual focus operating through a cash mechanism. The program undertakes supporting activities through third party service delivery.

Program expenses

Program 1.12 Deliverables

Program 1.12 Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.13: International Market Access

Program objective

• The program assists Australia’s agricultural, food, fisheries and forestry industries to be more sustainable, competitive and profitable by maintaining and improving international market access opportunities.
  
• Remove distortions to international trade, facilitate technical assistance and agricultural cooperation in support of portfolio interests, mitigate external risks to our plant and animal health status and assist in the development of international standards for trade in portfolio products.
  
• This program has a collective focus operating through a service mechanism. The program undertakes supporting, advising/informing and educating activities through direct service delivery.

Program expenses

Program 1.13 Deliverables

Program 1.13 Key Performance Indicators 

Outcome 2: Safeguard Australia’s animal and plant health status to maintain overseas markets and protect the economy and environment from the impact of exotic pests and diseases, through risk assessment, inspection and certification, and the implementation of emergency response arrangements for Australian agricultural, food and fibre industries.

Outcome 2 Strategy

Contributions to achieving this outcome during 2009–10 will include:

• delivering a continuum of service across pre-border, border and post-border operations which will allow an integrated focus on the safe movement of animals, plants, people and cargo to and from Australia, and support an effective response to any pest and disease incursions
• managing risk through the application of scientifically based measures, a focus of resources in the greatest areas of risk, increased use of prevention and preparedness measures, and partnerships with clients, industry sectors and state/territory biosecurity agencies.

Outcome 2 Budgeted Expenses and Resources

Table 2.1 provides an overview of the total expenses for outcome 2 by program.


¹ Total estimate for the Citrus Canker Eradication Program 2008–09 transferred to 1.11 Treasury payment to/through states – Fishing, Horticulture and Other Agriculture (refer Table 1.3).

Contributions to Outcome 2

Program 2.1: Quarantine and Export Services

Program objective

To maintain overseas markets and protect the economy and environment from the impact of exotic pests and diseases through:

• Delivering a continuum of biosecurity services across pre-border, border and post-border operations.
  
• Developing effective biosecurity service arrangements in partnership with clients, government and industry partners.
  
• Maximising the use of science-based risk assessment and risk-based measures across the biosecurity continuum for import and export operations.
  
• This program has a collective focus operating through a service mechanism. The program undertakes advising/informing, educating and regulating activities through direct service delivery.

Program expenses

• The decrease from 2009–10 to 2010–11 relates to the lapsing of Avian Influenza, International Mail and Securing the Future programs. The residual increase in forward year expenses is related to budget increases in external revenues for cost recovered programs across export and quarantine.

Program 2.1 Deliverables

• The Quarantine and Exports Program will achieve its intended result through the delivery of inspection and certification services. A focus for 2009–10 will be implementing a risk-based approach to quarantine and biosecurity while maintaining both accuracy and effectiveness.
  

Key program deliverables for 2009–10 will be:

• Maintaining the effectiveness of quarantine measures against high risk quarantine material.
  
• Inspection services consistent with program design.
  
• Audit procedures and actions consistent with program design.
  
• Accurate export certification.

Program 2.1 Key Performance Indicators

• The Quarantine and Exports Program works towards maintaining overseas markets and protecting the economy and environment from the impact of exotic pests and diseases.
  
• The Quarantine and Biosecurity Review recommended moving away from the mandated intervention targets set in previous quarantine policy, and instead adopting a risk-return approach that targets quarantine intervention at the highest biosecurity risks. As the new approach develops, performance will be assessed and reported based on monitoring of the effectiveness of the overall biosecurity system.

Program 2.2: Plant and Animal Health

Program objective

• Develop and implement national agreements and processes for managing the impact of major pest and disease incursions on Australia’s agricultural, food, fisheries and forestry industries, including through our membership of Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia.
  
• Improve the preparedness of governments, industry and the community to respond to pest and disease incursions, or demonstrate our health status to trading partners, by documenting and practicing proposed response activities, education and training and through surveillance, monitoring and diagnostic activities.
  
• Respond quickly and effectively to manage pest and disease incursions to regain our health status.
  
• Coordinate action at the national level to improve animal welfare outcomes.
  
• This program has an individual or collective focus operating through a cash or service mechanism. The program undertakes supporting, educating, advising/informing and regulating activities through transfer, direct service or third party service delivery.

Linked to:

• Other Exotic Disease Preparedness and Exotic Disease Preparedness programs – 1.33 Treasury payment to/through states – Rural Assistance (refer Table 1.3).
  
• Plant Disease and Eradication and Citrus Canker Eradication programs – 1.11 Treasury payment to/through states – Fishing, Horticulture and Other Agriculture (refer Table 1.3).

Program expenses

Program 2.2 Deliverables

• Program 2.2 focuses on a range of tools to achieve program objectives including membership of national and international organizations, collection of levies, dispersal of project funds to support programs and coordination-advice for national policy programs. These are described below.
• Securing the Future

Funding agreements with State and Territory agencies in place and completed for:

• national plant surveillance program (7 agreements)
• surveillance coordinators (7 agreements)
• enhancements to National Plant Surveillance Reporting Tool including industry content (1 agreement with Plant Health Australia (PHA)).
• Contribute to the national management program for BioSIRT.
• Maintain full membership of Plant Health Australia.
• Participant contribution to the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity.
• Support diagnostic labs to help maintain diagnostic capability and capacity for identified animal diseases.
• Australian Plant Pest Database enhanced and integrated into Australian Biosecurity Information Network (funding agreement with PHA to administer process).

Exotic Disease Preparedness Program

• Manage Wildlife Exotic Disease Preparedness Plan (WEDPP) program to minimise the impact of wildlife disease/agents onlivestock, public health, trade and the environment.
• Ensure effective functioning through leading and managing the Australian Wildlife Health Network (AWHN).
• Identify emerging diseases and manage wildlife disease incidents nationally.
• Develop & maintain National Collaborative Research Infrastructure (NCRIS) for wildlife.
• Progress Australian and Oceania position on World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Working Group.
• Effective wildbird surveillance for diseases of national concern.
• Develop national agreed response and preparedness policy for emerging and wildlife diseases.
• Coordinate projects under the WEDPP.
• Deliver agreed milestones through WEDPP and the AWHN.
• Apply findings to State and National emergency disease planning.
• Maintain WEDPP website and promote its acceptance and use by stakeholders.

Other Exotic Disease Preparedness Program (Bill 1)

• Australian Government contribution to the national Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Freedom Assurance Program (TSEFAP).
  Annual technical review of TSEFAP.
  
• Contribute funding as detailed in the TSEFAP Business Plan, to ensure the program continues to minimise the risks that animal TSEs pose to Australia’s exports and to animal health. The program began in 2004 and funding is split between Commonwealth, state and territory governments and industry bodies.

Other Exotic Disease Preparedness Program (Bill 2)

• Coordinate, support, monitor and fund approved veterinary practitioner emergency animal disease (EAD) workshops.
• Identify and fund participation of State veterinarians in international workshops, conferences and exercises on EADs.
• Co-opting of international experts for presentations and training in Australia on EADs.
• Preparation and publication of the EAD bulletin and newsletter.
• Workshops to be delivered by jurisdictions to train vet practitioners in recognition of EADs and how to report and respond to them.

Quarantine Research and Preparedness Plan

• Improve Australia’s preparedness to deal with biosecurity threats through a contribution to the implementation of the national fruit fly strategy, increased diagnostic capability and the development of on-farm biosecurity plans.
• Substantial progress towards implementation of National Fruit Fly Strategy through funding agreements with Plant Health Australia and private consultants to build a fruit fly information network and finalise operational documents to underpin fruit fly management.
• Increased diagnostic capacity through Australian Government contribution to the Sub-committee on Plant Health Diagnostic Standards (SPHDS) executive, 8-10 scholarships, training workshops and verification and validation of at least 10 diagnostic protocols.
• Tools and materials developed to deliver regional biosecurity model and achieve biosecurity outcomes:
• Plan for wider implementation developed through convening national forum, completing case studies and finalising phase two report.

Australian Plague Locust Commission

• Effective monitoring, prediction and control of pest locust populations.
• Minimise environmental and off-target impact of locust control.
• Minimise trade risks resulting from locust control.
• Cooperation with environmental, OH&S and other relevant agencies in developing and implementing plans for control programs.
• Ensure health and safety of APLC staff, with particular emphasis on aerial safety.
• Improve operations through improved understanding of locust behaviour & impact.
• Development of effective strategic, operational and communication plans which address the needs of all APLC investors and stakeholders.

Note: Completion and timing of some of the above deliverables is entirely dependant upon prevalence and timing of seasonal locust activity. Some of the above deliverables may become irrelevant if population levels are minimal and / or no locust control activity is undertaken.

Eradication of the Red Imported Fire Ant

Provides the Australian Government contribution to the national response to the threat posed by red imported fire ants, with an objective of eventual eradication through the Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program initiated in 2001.

National Livestock Identification System

• A cost effective, efficient and functioning NLIS for Alpacas which meets the national performance standards.

Australian Animal Welfare Strategy

• Implementation of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS).
• Respond to Review of Livestock Export Standards Advisory Committee (LESAC).
• Manage the National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare (NCCAW).
• Provide secretariat services and advice to Animal Welfare Working Group (AWWG), LESAC and NCCAW
• Contribution to conversion of additional livestock codes to standards and guidelines.
• Delivery of AAWS implementation plan on time and within budget.

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Minor Use Program

• The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Minor Use Program facilitates the update of permits issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for minor use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals that minimise the risk associated with the use of these chemicals.

Commonwealth Contribution to the Operating Costs of Animal Health Australia

• Australian Government maintains full membership of Animal Health Australia.

International Organisations Contributions – World Organisation for Animal Health

• Australian Government maintains full membership of OIE.

Payments to CSIRO – Contribution to the operating costs of the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL)

• Portfolio contributions to the operations of Australian Animal Health Laboratory are maintained, including participation in governance activities and payment of financial contribution.

Plant Health Australia (Plant Industries) Funding Act 2002, s. 6

• The timely distribution of levy funds collected under the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1999.

Australian Animal Health Council (Live-stock Industries) Funding Act 1996, s. 5

• The timely distribution of levy funds collected under the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Act 1999.

Program 2.2 Key Performance Indicators

• Program 2.2 focuses on a range of tools to achieve program objectives including membership of national and international organizations, collection of levies, dispersal of project funds to support programs and coordination-advice for national policy programs.