- Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources providing $350,000 to support the strawberry industry
- Flexible grant funding to provide food safety assurances
- Part of the $1 million relief package from the Coalition Government
Strawberry growers will get help from the Coalition Government to keep their reputation and their markets, Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said today.
"Aussies look after their mates," Minister Littleproud said.
"Our strawberry growers have been kicked in the guts and they need a hand.
"My Department will supply $350,000 to regain and retain market share in key export markets, and maintain or restore confidence in the industry and supply chain.
"This flexible funding will help our strawberry growers assure our trading partners and the domestic market that our strawberries are safe.
"Exporters will be required to assure consignments are free from metal through screening and metal detection.
"Funding will go to projects which show our strawberries are safe make sure our exports aren't hurt."
Funding is likely to go to:
- Food safety consultations and/or audits at farms and packing sheds
- Investigating alternative packaging options
- Developing a proactive communications strategy for trading partners around Australia's new export requirements and supply chain assurance
- Resources to assist growers, including risk assessment templates and training guides
- Roadshows in key growing regions that highlight the supply chain assurance system and contents of the toolbox.
- A helpdesk to provide technical support to growers, packers and other stakeholders.
Fast Facts:
- The strawberry industry is a significant contributor to the Australian economy—worth $288 million in 2016–17.
- Australia also exported almost $29.7 million of fresh strawberries in 2017–18.
