State Government to continue to attract investment in the agriculture sector

12/5/00
STATE GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
Attracting investment in the Western Australian agricultural processing sector will be a key focus of the State Government's 2000-2001 Budget, Primary Industry Minister Monty House said today.
A total of $3.1 million has been allocated to trade and market development as part of Agriculture Western Australia's total funding package of $190.4 million.
This includes $138.6 million from the State Government, $27.7 million from the Commonwealth Government and $24.1 million worth of industry contributions.
Mr House said trade and market development was an essential part of maintaining, identifying and securing markets for Western Australian food and fibre.
"Agriculture Western Australia's AGWEST Trade and Development program plays an important role in monitoring the State's major emerging markets to support the development and implementation of export orientated industry strategies," he said.
"This financial year priority has been given to encouraging investment in the State's agricultural processing industry and developing emerging, alternative industry as a means of diversifying Western Australia's agricultural production base."
A major commitment of $600,000 has been given to the establishment the Safe Quality Food Initiative, to increase the adoption of quality management systems to ensure safe, quality products that meet customers' demands.
Key initiatives funded by the budget are:

• $1 million to monitor and analyse current and emerging markets in Japan, the Middle East, Singapore and South East Asia to identify world retail trends, networks and opportunities to increase market access for WA products;
• $400,000 to attract investment in processing industries, in areas such as pigs, pasta, flour and dairy;
• $500,000 to assist outcomes from the Focus Taiwan initiative to consolidate on the networks and relationships built in recent years to increase exports of flour, sandalwood, dairy products and other processed food products; and -
• $300,000 to continue working with producers and processors to increase market competitiveness by developing and implementing opportunities for greater integration in the food chain

To assist this process, a locally based Agri-Food Chain Research Institute will be investigated with the support of industry funding, to assist agribusiness with targeted research.
"This initiative will have a particular focus on issues related to the management of food export value chains and quality assurance systems," Mr House said.
Another key initiative for 2000-2001 is the establishment of a Western Australian Post Harvest Handling Centre, in response to demands from major export markets for products with a longer shelf life.
"The centre will use the benefits of innovative technology for integrated packaging and logistics systems to enhance product quality and the shelf live of agricultural products," Mr House said.
"This will increase market access for unprocessed and semi-processed perishable goods."
Media contact: Julie Cole 9481 2044