Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole and Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Dugald Saunders were in Deniliquin today to announce a five-year extension of the vesting arrangements for rice grown in NSW.
Mr Toole said the NSW Government supports rice growers in NSW, who produce approximately 99 per cent of all rice grown in Australia.
"This is an industry we can truly call our own in NSW, that supports local jobs, local families and creates a clean, green product recognised around the world," Mr Toole said.
"The value of rice production in NSW was worth approximately $188 million in the last year alone and contributes significantly to our world-class agricultural output and trade reputation, so it is critical that the industry and growers have certainty in how their rice will be marketed moving forward".
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Dugald Saunders said the extension period would ensure that our rice industry has certainty about its regulatory arrangements over the next five years.
"NSW grows rice that is consumed and loved by customers in Australia and around the world while supporting agricultural jobs.
"The NSW rice industry can produce up to 1 million tonnes of rice per year, playing an important role in food security in Australia and around the world."
In 2021, the NSW Department of Primary Industries completed a review into rice vesting, which estimated that there would be an increase in the value of the rice industry over a six-year period under alternate arrangements. However, submissions to the review also demonstrated ongoing strong support from many rice growers for the continuation of the current rice exporting arrangements.
The NSW Government is also commissioning an independent report, which will consider the broad range of issues identified by the 2021 Review.
