Increased Budget allocation for agriculture

2/5/96

Agriculture Western Australia is in a strong position to continue to provide high quality support to Western Australia's $4.5 billion agricultural sector following a successful State Budget outcome announced today by Primary Industry Minister Monty House.

For the fourth successive year, Mr House has successfully negotiated for an increased allocation to the agriculture portfolio.

"This outcome is further recognition that the shift to more modern and more efficient business practices in the delivery of Government services to agriculture will be supported by the State Government," Mr House said.

"My goal, and that of the Coalition Government, has been to ensure that we provide first class support for WA's world-class agricultural industries - support that will match the increasing professionalism of the agricultural sector."

Agriculture WA will face the next financial year with a Budget of more than $127 million in recurrent spending and a capital works budget of $13 million.

Mr House said the positive budget outcome would flow on to primary producers and regional communities through a range of industry development initiatives including:

·         introducing a targeted extension program within the wheat industry to increase producer understanding of market requirements for wheat products and the production techniques needed to consistently produce grain which met required specifications;

·         developing quality assurance systems and establishing research into pulse quality to improve market competitiveness of lupins and new pulse crops;

·         developing sustainable production packages for new yellow lupins, chick peas, faba beans and canola to increase water use and management of herbicide resistant weeds;

·         establishing an integrated pest management approach to establish a viable cotton industry in the Kimberley;

·         undertaking research into water table management and selection of varieties suitable to maximise yield and disease resistance for the newly established sugar industry;

·         implementing the recommendations of the Sheep and Lamb Strategy Group and the Pig Industry Taskforce;

·         developing information packages to encourage investment in the State horticulture industry so that projected export growth opportunities can be met;

·         investigating quality assurance options with the dairy industry which will offer the potential of greater access to domestic and international markets; and -

·         developing a model which will allow effective screening of international trade inquiries to ensure the agricultural sector is able to capitalise on export opportunities.

Mr House said that nearly $5 million from the capital works Budget would be available for expanding and upgrading a number of major regional and rural centres to meet Agriculture WA's regionalisation objectives.

He said funds had also been allocated for the continuing development of at least 40 Community Agricultural Centres in smaller rural centres.

Another $6 million of the capital works budget had been earmarked to assist with the relocation and establishment of a new wool scouring facility - a major joint venture with industry.

Other budget initiatives include:

·         the re-direction of $1 million to activities aimed at addressing salinity issues;

·         establishment of an interim Sustainable Rural Development Authority to set the strategic directions for sustainable rural development in WA;

·         $500,000 for new initiatives aimed at generating agricultural development proposals at a regional level under the guidance of the soon-to-be-established regional partnership groups;

·         $450,000 for the further development of the Centre for Agribusiness Marketing to ensure the State's primary producers have the skills necessary to take agriculture into the next century;

·         $300,000 for the introduction of a program to manage rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) in WA;

·         a project to encourage greater producer involvement in, and understanding of, price risk management techniques;

·         $750,000 for the continued regionalisation of Agriculture WA to allow the agency to be more responsive to its clients needs;

·         $408,000 for the continuing upgrade of telecommunications networks within Agriculture WA to assist with regionalisation and improve farmer and regional business access to information; and -

·         $350,000 to complete the implementation of a modern financial management system for Agriculture WA.

Mr House said Agriculture WA had begun the process of allocating budgets to the new program areas of Sustainable Rural Development, Industry Resource Protection and eight industry programs - cereals, wool, horticulture, meat, dairy and other animal industries, pulses and oilseeds, new industries and trade and market development.

"The next financial year will be the first full financial year of Agriculture WA's new mode of operation following the introduction of more commercial business-like practices," Mr House

said.

The result will be better service to primary producers and the regional community - something which will benefit the State as a whole.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (09) 481 2044