Aussie farmers, fishers and foresters exporting to China can now apply for grant funding under the Australia-China Agricultural Cooperation Agreement grants program (ACACA) to increase agricultural trade and cooperation between Australia and China.
Minister for Agriculture, Bridget McKenzie said the grants would help Australian agricultural industries develop, improve and augment trading and cooperation relationships and linkages between Australia and China.
"Australia is known around the world for our safe, clean and sustainable food and fibre, but to build a $100 billion agricultural sector by 2030 we need to grab hold of new export opportunities and improve existing ones," Minister McKenzie said.
"The ACACA program commenced in 1984 and allows grant applicants to apply for funding to cover projects and trade missions in priority areas, including food safety, regulatory, biosecurity, trade and investment, service and technology cooperation, post-harvest storage and waste and exploration of niche markets.
"Now in its 36th year, the ACACA program works to develop a collaborative agriculture trading relationship with one of our most important trading partners.
"China is Australia's largest export market for agricultural, fisheries and forestry products-contributing $15.1 billion to the Australian economy in 2018-19.
"The grants help our farming, fishing and forestry industries unlock new opportunities afforded through the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) and China's growing markets.
"The Australian Government remains committed to nurturing, growing and maintaining market access for our agricultural producers.
"I encourage all of our agricultural producers looking to enhance agricultural cooperation between Australia and China to apply.
ACACA grant applications are open until 12 February 2020.
