❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the Premier on budget allocation for the Agri-Food Industry, climate change adaptation, and its role in state security. The Premier defers budget specifics but highlights existing initiatives and funding.
AnsweredQoN 2871Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(a) within the 2008–2009 State Budget what does the Premier consider to be adequate recognition of the massive $12 billion annual financial contribution to the State's economy provided by the local Agri-Food Industry; and
(i) what form will any recognition take?
(2) Based on the major threat posed to the future of the Agri-Food Industry by climate change, what climate adoption measures will be contained within the Budget to protect the Agri-Food Industry including:
(a) research funding; and
(b) other measures; and
(i) what does the Premier consider to be other measures; and
(ii) in real terms, how much financial assistance will be offered annually to support such:
(A) research funding; and
(B) other measures?
(3) The United States Government considers the US Agri-Food Industry as being an integral part of ‘Homeland Security’, requiring future assurance of quality, quantity, variety, self-sufficiency and sustainability in Agri-Food production within its borders. What is the Premier’s policy regarding the local Agri-Food Industry as it directly relates to Western Australian State Security including:
(a) quality;
(b) quantity;
(c) variety;
(d) self-sufficiency; and
(e) sustainability?
(i) what form will any recognition take?
(2) Based on the major threat posed to the future of the Agri-Food Industry by climate change, what climate adoption measures will be contained within the Budget to protect the Agri-Food Industry including:
(a) research funding; and
(b) other measures; and
(i) what does the Premier consider to be other measures; and
(ii) in real terms, how much financial assistance will be offered annually to support such:
(A) research funding; and
(B) other measures?
(3) The United States Government considers the US Agri-Food Industry as being an integral part of ‘Homeland Security’, requiring future assurance of quality, quantity, variety, self-sufficiency and sustainability in Agri-Food production within its borders. What is the Premier’s policy regarding the local Agri-Food Industry as it directly relates to Western Australian State Security including:
(a) quality;
(b) quantity;
(c) variety;
(d) self-sufficiency; and
(e) sustainability?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 November 2007
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
15 days
(1) (a) The 08/09 Budget will not be finalised until May 2008. Therefore I am not in a position to respond to questions relating to the 08/09 Budget.
(i) n/a
(2) (a) and (b) The 08/09 Budget will not be finalised until May 2008. Therefore I am not in a position to respond to questions relating to the 08/09 Budget.
(3)
The Government clearly recognises the State's agri-food industry as a major contributor to social and economic wellbeing, and a creator of business and employment opportunities particularly in the rural and regional areas.
The Department of Agriculture and Food has an extensive range of market development, research and development, product integrity, quality assurance, food safety and sustainability initiatives that address the points raised by the Member.
In the 2007/08 budget, the State Government committed $183.5 million to support the growth of Western Australia's agri-food sector and minimise risks to the State's natural resources.
The Department of Agriculture and Food's operational budget for 2007/08 includes $41 million for biosecurity initiatives and $77.5 million for natural resource management.
A further $126 million is allocated to the relocation of the Department of Agriculture and Food metropolitan research, biosecurity, policy and administration facilities to Murdoch.
The agricultural and food sector would also benefit from additional funds to the Department of Agriculture and Food of $70 million from the Australian Government and an estimated $59 million from external research corporations and industry groups.
Major funding initiatives for 2007/08 directly relevant to the member's question include:
· $43.8 million for the development and implementation of salinity management options.
· $5 million over three years for FarmBis III to provide opportunities for primary producers to undertake training programs to better manage their business risks and improve their skills base.
· $700,000 to upgrade the bait production unit facilities to protect the State's biodiversity and livestock from vertebrate pests.
· $3 million to develop new wheat varieties to meet the demands of international markets while maintaining the highest yield and disease characteristics.
· $1.5 million for the new Co-operative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation, for research and development projects within the sheep and wool industries.
· $1.4 million to accelerate the breeding of acid soil tolerant barley varieties.
· $1 million for the development of the Western Australian food industry.
· $600,000 towards the cost of implementing the new Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Bill legislation in 2007/08.
· $550,000 for soil management in cropping systems including controlled traffic systems, nutrient cycling and soil acidity.
· $500,000 to continue the climate forecasting research and develop climate risk management strategies for agricultural and pastoral regions.
· $300,000 to continue the development of new pasture species to fit the developing phase cropping systems in the agricultural regions, and to increase water use to overcome waterlogging and salinity problems.
· $300,000 to the Centre for Food and Genomic Medicine to research the potential of lupin food to assist in the management of diabesity, a syndrome that links obesity to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes.
· $41 million investment in animal and plant biosecurity recognised the significance placed on ensuring the State's environment and agricultural industries were protected.
In addition to initiatives announced as part of the 2007/2008 budget, several other activities are relevant to the member's question:
· On 7 November this year, the Government commenced several initiatives, including the 'Buy West, Eat Best' program to foster purchase of food products grown, farmed or fished in Western Australia.
· The Department of Agriculture and Food is working with all relevant government departments in development of a holistic approach to food industry development. The Government will consider during 2008, the recommended options for fostering food industry development.
· Government agencies are involved in activities aimed at the protection of critical infrastructure from terrorism. Critical infrastructure protection, including production of at-risk supply chains, is implemented through a range of intergovernmental and business?government consultative mechanisms, to ensure maintenance of safe food supply in the event of any deliberate attack or unintended disruption to food chains.
If the member would like, I will arrange for the Department to provide a detailed briefing.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
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(i) n/a
(2) (a) and (b) The 08/09 Budget will not be finalised until May 2008. Therefore I am not in a position to respond to questions relating to the 08/09 Budget.
(3)
The Government clearly recognises the State's agri-food industry as a major contributor to social and economic wellbeing, and a creator of business and employment opportunities particularly in the rural and regional areas.
The Department of Agriculture and Food has an extensive range of market development, research and development, product integrity, quality assurance, food safety and sustainability initiatives that address the points raised by the Member.
In the 2007/08 budget, the State Government committed $183.5 million to support the growth of Western Australia's agri-food sector and minimise risks to the State's natural resources.
The Department of Agriculture and Food's operational budget for 2007/08 includes $41 million for biosecurity initiatives and $77.5 million for natural resource management.
A further $126 million is allocated to the relocation of the Department of Agriculture and Food metropolitan research, biosecurity, policy and administration facilities to Murdoch.
The agricultural and food sector would also benefit from additional funds to the Department of Agriculture and Food of $70 million from the Australian Government and an estimated $59 million from external research corporations and industry groups.
Major funding initiatives for 2007/08 directly relevant to the member's question include:
· $43.8 million for the development and implementation of salinity management options.
· $5 million over three years for FarmBis III to provide opportunities for primary producers to undertake training programs to better manage their business risks and improve their skills base.
· $700,000 to upgrade the bait production unit facilities to protect the State's biodiversity and livestock from vertebrate pests.
· $3 million to develop new wheat varieties to meet the demands of international markets while maintaining the highest yield and disease characteristics.
· $1.5 million for the new Co-operative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation, for research and development projects within the sheep and wool industries.
· $1.4 million to accelerate the breeding of acid soil tolerant barley varieties.
· $1 million for the development of the Western Australian food industry.
· $600,000 towards the cost of implementing the new Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Bill legislation in 2007/08.
· $550,000 for soil management in cropping systems including controlled traffic systems, nutrient cycling and soil acidity.
· $500,000 to continue the climate forecasting research and develop climate risk management strategies for agricultural and pastoral regions.
· $300,000 to continue the development of new pasture species to fit the developing phase cropping systems in the agricultural regions, and to increase water use to overcome waterlogging and salinity problems.
· $300,000 to the Centre for Food and Genomic Medicine to research the potential of lupin food to assist in the management of diabesity, a syndrome that links obesity to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes.
· $41 million investment in animal and plant biosecurity recognised the significance placed on ensuring the State's environment and agricultural industries were protected.
In addition to initiatives announced as part of the 2007/2008 budget, several other activities are relevant to the member's question:
· On 7 November this year, the Government commenced several initiatives, including the 'Buy West, Eat Best' program to foster purchase of food products grown, farmed or fished in Western Australia.
· The Department of Agriculture and Food is working with all relevant government departments in development of a holistic approach to food industry development. The Government will consider during 2008, the recommended options for fostering food industry development.
· Government agencies are involved in activities aimed at the protection of critical infrastructure from terrorism. Critical infrastructure protection, including production of at-risk supply chains, is implemented through a range of intergovernmental and business?government consultative mechanisms, to ensure maintenance of safe food supply in the event of any deliberate attack or unintended disruption to food chains.
If the member would like, I will arrange for the Department to provide a detailed briefing.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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