State Government assists WA farmers to gain sustainability recognition

26/11/04
Western Australian producers will soon be able to gain international recognition for sustainable farming practices through a new initiative developed by the State Government.
'Farming for the Future' was officially launched today by Agriculture Minister Kim Chance as part of a sustainability forum being held in Perth.
The initiative, developed by the Department of Agriculture in consultation with industry, aims to provide all WA farmers with a practical way of obtaining international recognition for sustainable farming practices.
"Consumers are making more informed purchases based on environmental, social and ethical impacts of products and the processes used to produce them," Mr Chance said.
"International retailers are responding to this shift in consumer focus and are buying from suppliers who can provide assurances that production and processing systems are sustainable.
"The markets that are expressing these 'value-based' purchasing decisions include Europe, North America, Japan and South and East Asia.
"The 'Farming for the Future' initiative will enable WA producers to maintain and improve our natural resources, provide a more profitable business setting and a socially sustainable community."
The Department of Agriculture is working with a broad range of industry and grower groups to pilot the certification process with farmers in the New Year.
The initiative is supported by WAFarmers, which is investigating ways to incorporate Environmental Management Systems (EMS) into producers' businesses.
Another supporter of the initiative is Wesfarmers Ltd, one of the nation's top-performing public companies with involvement in retailing, coal mining, gas processing and distribution, insurance chemical and fertiliser manufacturing and rail transport.
Wesfarmers' deputy managing director Richard Goyder said the initiative would give WA primary producers great capacity to advance their standing in the world agribusiness community as an outstanding supplier of clean and green products.
"It will also continue to keep WA at the leading edge of innovation in agriculture," Mr Goyder said.
Mr Chance and Mr Goyder commended the Minister's Sustainable Agricultural Practices Working Group members and the Department of Agriculture for instigating a major positive influence for the WA agribusiness community.
For more information about the 'Farming for Future' initiative contact the department's Janet McCreddin on 9733 7708 or
email F4F@agric.wa.gov.au
Minister's office: 9213 6700