DAFFnews - Issue 182

25 May 2012

• Minister welcomes independent regulator's report
• $4 million in fee rebates to grain, fish and egg exporters
• Alice Springs to host the second 2012 ABARES Regional Outlook conference

Minister welcomes independent regulator's report

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, has welcomed the report released by DAFF into alleged breaches of approved exporter supply chains in Australia’s live export trade.

“The independent regulator, DAFF, has completed its investigation and taken action against those exporters found to be in breach of their approved supply chains,” Minister Ludwig said.

Last year, the Gillard Government rolled out significant reforms to the live export trade. There is now a system in place that allows the regulator to identify supply chains, identify animals, and identify exporters.

It allows the regulator to investigate when the required standards are not met, and take action, as has occurred in this instance.

“The Government continues to support the trade, as well as the jobs, families and communities that rely upon it,” Minister Ludwig said. For more information about the new system or the report, visit DAFF's livestock export webpage.

$4 million in fee rebates to grain, fish and egg exporters

Transitional funding of more than $4 million will start flowing to the grain, fish and egg export industries next month after regulations underpinning new export certification arrangements passed through the Parliament.

Minister Ludwig said the changes support a smooth transition to new certification and inspection arrangements, contributing to an increase in export productivity and international market share.

"These new arrangements will provide more robust and efficient export certification systems, reducing the cost of doing business while improving confidence in Australian food exports," Minister Ludwig said.

"The value of Australian agricultural, fisheries and forestry exports is anticipated to be worth around $38.9 billion in 2012-13 and the export income from the Australian grain, fish and egg industries will be a key contributor".

Alice Springs to host the second 2012 ABARES Regional Outlook conference

What is the economic outlook for the Alice Springs region? How can local businesses improve productivity in a changing environment? These issues and more will be explored at the Alice Springs Regional Outlook conference on Wednesday, 13 June 2012.

Presented by ABARES, this one-day conference features speakers across four sessions on 'global economy – local impacts', 'operating in a changing environment', 'towards more productive primary industries' and a closing plenary panel on 'future business opportunities in the region'.

Delegates will hear commodity forecasts, discuss industry trends, access information, make new contacts in their community and discover new approaches to traditional issues while gaining an understanding of global issues that affect their region.

Download the conference program from the Alice Springs Regional Outlook conference page. For inquiries, contact Lara Cole on 02 6272 2303, 02 6272 3051 or by emailing conferences@daff.gov.au.