Improved technical market access focus for agricultural exporters

17 August 2006

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The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is strengthening its approach to international technical market access issues to improve the service it provides to its portfolio industries.

DAFF Secretary, Joanna Hewitt, said today that quarantine barriers in overseas markets are becoming an increasingly important constraint to exporters, requiring a focused and coordinated response.

“Australia’s primary producers rely heavily on exports and look to DAFF to establish, maintain and improve commercially viable access arrangements in existing and new markets,” Ms Hewitt said.

“These issues are often complex and require industry and government to work closely together to develop strategies that achieve results in these markets.”

Ms Hewitt said she had established a senior level technical market access coordination position to sharpen the coordination of technical market access issues across the Department.

“I have appointed Paul Morris to this position. Paul is an experienced departmental officer who has been Executive Manager in the International Division (and its predecessors) for the past four years,” she said.

“In addition to coordinating and prioritising Departmental technical market access work, Paul will oversee departmental efforts to advance live animal trade issues and advise on arrangements for longer-term technical market analysis.”

“The changes made within DAFF will strengthen our ability to coordinate and manage these technical issues.”

Ms Hewitt said she would also restructure the International Division to sharpen its country focus and had appointed Craig Burns as Executive Manager, International Division.

Media contact: Nicola Hinder DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232