❓ Dr. Jacobs inquires about government support for the WA cattle industry given increasing Asian demand. The Minister details initiatives including hosting a Chinese delegation, promoting WA's brand, and developing export opportunities.
AnsweredQoN 198Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CATTLE
INDUSTRY — ASIAN MARKET
198. Dr G.G. JACOBS to the
Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I note with interest that there is a high and increasing
demand for quality beef throughout Asia and particularly China. Can the
minister update the house on how the government is supporting the cattle
industry in Western Australia?
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean, let the minister answer.
INDUSTRY — ASIAN MARKET
198. Dr G.G. JACOBS to the
Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I note with interest that there is a high and increasing
demand for quality beef throughout Asia and particularly China. Can the
minister update the house on how the government is supporting the cattle
industry in Western Australia?
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean, let the minister answer.
AnswerView source ↗
I apologise for my voice and the flu I have this week.
Everyone is moving away from me!
I am pleased to advise the house that this week the beef
industry development unit of the Department of Agriculture and Food is hosting
a delegation from China, focusing on all aspects of the cattle export supply
chain. There is no question that Western Australia is considered a reliable
source of safe and high-quality food. As a state, Western Australia has this
unique opportunity in the northern countries that have a high demand for
protein as we see urbanisation in those countries. We have an opportunity to leverage
our brand, and our brand is about the safe and reliable supply of quality food.
This delegation will tour our ports, saleyards, abattoirs and
feedlots from the south west through to the Kimberley. The visiting delegates
are keen to learn as much as possible about WA's capability on beef
exports. In 2014–15, we were exporting in the vicinity of 250 000 to
360 000 head of cattle. In the last financial year, we had just started
delivering boxed beef as well, which is opening up abattoirs and increasing the
opportunities to deliver boxed beef.
We are also talking with the Chinese about upgrading their
quarantine feedlots and abattoirs in China. We will deliver quality food to
other parts of the world. Eighty per cent of all primary products in Western Australia
are exported. This government is serious about growing and expanding the area
of agriculture. It is unfortunate that members on the other side like to make
fun of it and poke sticks at it. It is a very important industry to Western Australia
and one that we are committed to.
The Department of Agriculture and Food has been working
closely with the Zhejiang officials and companies in developing live export
opportunities under a memorandum of understanding between Zhejiang and the WA government.
The visiting delegation signals excellent growth for this industry. Our
quality, safe and reliable products will be in high demand as Asian markets,
including China, vie for quality beef. We will continue to foster these
relationships, and I am proud to be the new Minister for Agriculture and Food.
Everyone is moving away from me!
I am pleased to advise the house that this week the beef
industry development unit of the Department of Agriculture and Food is hosting
a delegation from China, focusing on all aspects of the cattle export supply
chain. There is no question that Western Australia is considered a reliable
source of safe and high-quality food. As a state, Western Australia has this
unique opportunity in the northern countries that have a high demand for
protein as we see urbanisation in those countries. We have an opportunity to leverage
our brand, and our brand is about the safe and reliable supply of quality food.
This delegation will tour our ports, saleyards, abattoirs and
feedlots from the south west through to the Kimberley. The visiting delegates
are keen to learn as much as possible about WA's capability on beef
exports. In 2014–15, we were exporting in the vicinity of 250 000 to
360 000 head of cattle. In the last financial year, we had just started
delivering boxed beef as well, which is opening up abattoirs and increasing the
opportunities to deliver boxed beef.
We are also talking with the Chinese about upgrading their
quarantine feedlots and abattoirs in China. We will deliver quality food to
other parts of the world. Eighty per cent of all primary products in Western Australia
are exported. This government is serious about growing and expanding the area
of agriculture. It is unfortunate that members on the other side like to make
fun of it and poke sticks at it. It is a very important industry to Western Australia
and one that we are committed to.
The Department of Agriculture and Food has been working
closely with the Zhejiang officials and companies in developing live export
opportunities under a memorandum of understanding between Zhejiang and the WA government.
The visiting delegation signals excellent growth for this industry. Our
quality, safe and reliable products will be in high demand as Asian markets,
including China, vie for quality beef. We will continue to foster these
relationships, and I am proud to be the new Minister for Agriculture and Food.
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