Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Election Commitments
Fisheries Research Program — expansion
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | 1.9 | 2.2 | 0.3 | - |
The Government will provide $4.4 million over three years to expand the level of research on Commonwealth managed fisheries, particularly on fish species about which little is known, in recognition of the recent major structural adjustment to Commonwealth fisheries. The funding will support the expansion of the research currently conducted by the Bureau of Rural Sciences and the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics in relation to Commonwealth fisheries.
This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.
National Weeds and Productivity Research Program
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | 3.2 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
The Government will provide $15.3 million over four years to establish a National Weeds and Productivity Research Program to investigate and address significant invasive plant problems and to improve advice to the farm and forestry sectors on managing invasive plants in forests, pastures and native vegetation.
This measure includes funding of $0.3 million over two years from 2008‑09 for research into the control of fireweed from the redirection of funds from the Defeating the Weed Menace program.
See also the related savings measure titled Defeating the Weed Menace in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio.
This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.
Preparing Australia's Forestry Industry for the Future
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | 5.9 | 6.9 | 7.2 | - |
The Government will provide $20.0 million over three years to assist in securing the future of Australia's forestry industry. The funding will be directed to five priorities: addressing forestry skills shortages; boosting the export of forest products; building a forestry industry database; addressing the importation of illegally logged timber; and preparing forest industries for climate change.
This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.
Promoting Australian Produce Program
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | - |
The Government will provide $5.0 million over three years in matching grants to the Australian farming and seafood industry to increase awareness of the premium quality of Australian produce.
This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.
Quarantine Research and Preparedness Plan
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | 0.5 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.2 | - |
The Government will provide $5.4 million over four years to implement a comprehensive Quarantine Research and Preparedness Plan to minimise the impacts of pests, diseases and contaminants on Australia's agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.
The funding includes provision for development and implementation of a National Fruit Fly Strategy, continued development of Australia's ability to rapidly and accurately diagnose plant pests and diseases, and development and piloting of a model for on‑farm biosecurity planning.
This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.
Recreational Fishing Industry Development Strategy — development and implementation
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | - |
The Government will provide $2.0 million over three years to develop and implement a strategy to improve recreational fishing opportunities and to develop a consistent approach to the management of recreational fisheries across Australia.
This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.
Regional Food Producers' Innovation and Productivity Program
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | 6.0 | 8.2 | 8.0 | 12.8 |
The Government will provide $35.0 million over four years in matching grants to Australia's regional food producers to assist them in becoming more competitive through productivity and innovation improvements. This will include funding of $10.0 million for seafood industry projects.
This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.
Torres Strait Commercial Line Fishery buyback scheme — establishment
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | - | - | - | - |
The Government provided $7.5 million in 2007‑08 to establish a voluntary buyback scheme for the remaining commercial Torres Strait line fishing entitlements. This will allow reallocation of 100 per cent of the finfish fishery resource to traditional fishers through the Torres Strait Regional Authority.
The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
This measure delivers on the Government's election commitment.
Other measures
Drought assistance — Exceptional Circumstances assistance for primary producers — additional declarations
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | - | - | - | - |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - | - |
| Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | - | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $4.4 million over two years from 2007‑08 to continue support for primary producers in the Exceptional Circumstances declared areas of Duaringa‑Bauhinia and Mount Morgan Shire in Queensland.
Exceptional Circumstances assistance provides interest rate subsidies and income support to assist viable farm businesses and farm families who have been adversely affected by exceptional climatic events, such as drought. Eligible recipients are also provided with a health care concession card and access to Youth Allowance for their children.
Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Drought assistance — Exceptional Circumstances assistance for small business — additional declarations
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | - | - | - | - |
| Department of Health and Ageing | - | - | - | - | - |
| Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | - | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $0.5 million over two years from 2007‑08 to continue support for farm‑dependent small businesses in the Exceptional Circumstances declared areas of Duaringa‑Bauhinia and Mount Morgan Shire in Queensland.
The small business assistance provides interest rate subsidies and income support to help viable farm‑dependent businesses and families who are adversely affected by the prolonged drought. Eligible recipients are also provided with a health care concession card and access to Youth Allowance for their children.
Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates.
Drought assistance — transitional income support
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $14.5 million over three years to provide up to 12 months of income support payments to eligible farm families in areas for which exceptional circumstances declarations are not extended. The program, commencing from 16 June 2008, will provide income support payments equivalent to NewStart Allowance payments to farm families that have not recovered from the impacts of the prolonged drought and are in need of income support.
Eligibility criteria for assistance will include a similar income test to NewStart Allowance and a limit on the net value of assets of $1.5 million. Applicants will also be required to obtain and act on business viability advice and training available through the Australia's Farming Future — Climate Change Adjustment Program.
The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
See also the related expense measure titled Australia's Farming Future — Climate Change Adjustment Program in the Tackling Climate Change package of measures.
Equine influenza — eradication
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | 97.2 | - | - | - | - |
The Government provided $97.2 million in 2007‑08 towards the cost of the national response to eradicate equine influenza from Australia. Australia was declared provisionally‑free of the disease on 14 March 2008.
The agreed limit for the national response is capped at $108.0 million. Under Commonwealth, state and industry cost‑sharing arrangements, the Government agreed to underwrite the horse industry's proportion.
Further information can be found in the press release of 15 February 2008 issued by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Equine influenza — extension of assistance
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | 26.1 | - | - | - | - |
The Government provided an additional $142.9 million in 2007‑08 to extend the equine influenza assistance package to 14 March 2008 to allow the horse industry more time to properly recover from the influenza outbreak.
The extension provided support through the Commercial Horse Assistance Payment, the Business Assistance Grant, Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment and grants for non‑government, not‑for‑profit equestrian organisation programs.
Extending the Business Assistance Grants and grants for non‑government, not‑for‑profit equestrian organisations programs has enabled eligible businesses and organisations to apply for a second round of grants.
Provision for $116.8 million has already been included in the forward estimates.
International Agriculture Cooperation — Live Animal Trade Program — continuation
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | - | 1.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
The Government will provide $7.6 million over four years to continue funding for Australia's veterinary counsellor in the Middle East and for projects aimed at improving animal welfare in countries importing Australian live animals.
This measure involves funding of $1.8 million per annum in 2008‑09 and 2009‑10, and $2.0 million per annum in 2010‑11 and 2011‑12.
The cost of this measure in 2008‑09 will be met from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Securing the Future: protecting our industries from biological, chemical and physical risks — continuation
| 2007‑08 | 2008‑09 | 2009‑10 | 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | - | 4.9 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $4.9 million in 2008‑09 to continue to improve Australia's ability to detect and respond to biosecurity threats, and to minimise the costs to industry and governments caused by established pests and exotic pest and disease incursions.
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