AGRICULTURE and Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce today announced a $5.3 million boost to export access for small agribusinesses under the Coalition government’s Package Assisting Small Exporters Program.
The grants, which will fund 31 projects across a variety of commodities, delivers on a key Coalition election commitment to support small exporters through its $15 million four year program.
“Access to premium overseas markets is an important element of driving profits back through the farmgate for our nation’s farmers – assisting Australia’s smaller exporters in particular demonstrates the Coalition’s commitment to looking after all of our producers,” Mr Joyce said.
“We’re backing the kangaroo industry to make the most of export opportunities, working with the dairy industry to develop a stronger food safety culture and setting up an advisory service for small exporters in Victoria.
“There’s funding for a residue testing program for the seafood sector, biosecurity management for the growing cherry industry and a whole raft of innovations for grain growers to leverage our enviable international reputation for safe, reliable, high quality produce.
“These grants also exploit new technologies, with a mobile app for kangaroo products, online systems making it easier and quicker for table grape and citrus growers to get export accreditation and one-stop-shop data bases helping grain growers negotiating prices.
“Tea Tree oil growers will be one step closer to exporting to the massive European Union market and egg producers will be able to set-up a national Salmonella monitoring program that could open up markets for this export industry.
“There’s also a study into innovative packaging for green leafy vegetables that could not only improve the shelf life of vegetables but may broaden markets for a host of horticultural products.
“These grants give export industries a leg up to international markets. They will help agribusinesses, and their regional communities, grow.
“This targeted support comes on the back of historic trade agreements the government has signed with China, Japan and Korea and recent access for mangos and lychees to the United States of America.”
Under the program, a total of $5.3 million (GST inclusive) has been committed so far to small exporters of fish, meat, egg, dairy, grains and horticulture. This is in addition to the $1.3 million already provided in rebates to assist small exporters with export registration charges.
Grant recipients
Recipient: Australian Table Grape Association
Grant: $333,300
Table grape growers will be able to get faster, simpler export accreditation through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The Australian Table Grape Association will receive up to $333,300 over three years to develop an online system to enable small exporters to undergo the export accreditation process.
Recipient: Cherry Growers Australia
Grant: $237,670
Cherry growers receive help to keep their fruit pest and disease free and expand export markets through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
A grant of up to $237,670 for Cherry Growers Australia over three years will improve and enhance the Australian Cherry Industry Biosecurity Management Programme.
Recipient: Citrus Australia
Grant: $108,617
Citrus growers will be able to get faster, simpler export accreditation through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
Citrus Australia receives up to$108,617 over 12 months to develop an online export registration system.
Recipient: Summerfruit Australia
Grant: $220,000
Stone fruit growers receive help to control pests and diseases and improve their export prospects through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The two year up to $220,000 grant goes to Summerfruit Australia to create a pest and disease control strategy.
Recipient: Australian Mangoes Industry Association
Grant: $87,560
Mango growers will boost their export potential with help to develop an export strategy through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The 12 month up to $87,560 grant will help the Australian Mangoes Industry Association prioritise the strategic direction for exports.
Recipient: Qld Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Grant: $92,400
Better returns for exporters of green leafy vegetables will flow from a 12 month study into innovative packaging for air freight funded by the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will spend up to $92,400 to look for ways to improve the shelf life and quality of the vegetables.
Recipient: Cedar Hill Flowers
Grant: 117,095
New markets for Australian wildflowers could open if a study funded by the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme is successful.
The 12 month $117,095 grant for Cedar Flowers is to assess the efficacy of a fumigant, Vapormate, and its effects on Australian wildflowers. The chemical may have wider benefits too, potentially as a fumigant for horticultural products.
Recipient: Fruit Growers Victoria
Grant: $41,472
An export training package will help South Australian vegetable growers become more export ready, under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
Fruit Growers Victoria receive up to $41,472 over the next 12 months to help growers increase their knowledge of exporting and better understand supply chain logistics.
Recipient: Avocados Australia
Grant: $250,000
Avocado growers will receive help to access markets in Asia and the Middle East through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
Avocados Australia’s three year up to $250,000 grant is to develop a market access strategy.
Recipient: Ausveg
Grant: $95,255
Vegetable growers will get a boost to their knowledge and understanding of supply chains through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The two year up to $95,255 grant to Ausveg will develop a training package for vegetable growers in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia to increase exporting skills.
Recipient: Dairy Australia
Grant: $984,500
Small to medium dairy businesses will be better placed to start exporting with a grant to enhance the food safety culture of the industry through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The three year up to $984,500 grant will ensure that the export reputation of dairy is maintained by developing the knowledge and capabilities of producers.
Recipient: Woodbridge Smokehouse
Grant: $19,140
A Tasmanian smokehouse is to promote its smoked fish to new export markets after receiving a grant from the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
Woodbridge Smokehouse, which smokes trout and salmon, will use its $19,140 grant to develop market access networks.
Recipient: Australian Egg Corporation
Grant: $102,300
Egg producers are set to further expand export markets under a grant through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The 12 month up to $102,300 grant helps the Australian Egg Corporation develop a national Salmonella Entertidis Monitoring and Accreditation Programme that demonstrates food safety and could assist in gaining access to multiple export markets.
Recipient: Abalone Council Australia
Grant: $234,579
Abalone growers receive a boost to their exporting potential through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
Up to $234,579 will be provided to help Abalone Council Australia develop market access strategies.
Recipient: Tasmanian Oyster Research Council
Grant: $132,550
Oyster growers are one step closer to restarting exports to the United States through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The 18 month up to $132,550 grant supports the Tasmanian Oyster Research Council in a bid to regain market access.
Recipient: Commonwealth Fisheries Association Grant: $551,757
Australia’s export reputation for clean seafood will be further enhanced through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
Commonwealth Fisheries Association receives a three year up to $551,757 grant for a national residue testing program.
Recipient: McMullen Consulting
Grant: $102,485
Grain growers receive help to maintain the high standard of their produce through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
McMullen Consulting receives the 12 month up to $102,485 grant to improve the sampling system for grain containers which will help establish supply chain assurance and support exports.
Recipient: Australian Tea Tree Industry
Grant: $195,575
The Australian Tea Tree industry will be one step closer to opening up exports to the European Union (EU) through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The $195,575 grant funds an Australian Tea Tree Industry submission to the EU on the cosmetic use and functions of tea tree oil which could open up broad export markets.
Recipient: Grain Trade Australia
Grant: $73,920
Improving procedures to clean grain trucks and reduce contamination will boost the export potential of small grain growers through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The $73,920 12 month grant for Grain Trade Australia addresses an industry need for a standardised truck cleaning procedure to reduce the prevalence of contaminations.
Recipient: Grain Trade Australia
Grant: $76,230
Small grain growers get help negotiating grain prices with a grant to develop a food safety database funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
Grain Trade Australia receives a 12 month up to $76,230 grant to create an online database which records any contamination that has occurred.
Recipient: Grain Trade Australia
Grant: $72,985
A manual to help small grain growers during market access negotiations will be developed through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
Grain Trade Australia receives up to $72,985 over 12 months to develop a container packer operational manual, building the export capabilities of small grain growers new to exporting.
Recipient: Grain Trade Australia
Grant: $123,310
Small grain exporters will get faster access to accurate trading standards information through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
A one-stop-shop online trading standards data base will be developed by Grain Trade Australia with $123,310 grant, making it easier for small exporters to do business.
Recipient: Grains Industry Market Access Forum Grant: $100,000
Grain exporters receive help maintaining access to export markets through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
A $100,000 grant goes to the Grains Industry Market Access Forum for surveillance activities to provide quality assurance across the Australian grain growing region that will help exporters during market access negotiations.
Recipient: Grains Industry Market Access Forum Grant: $77,000
A weed seed data base that will help grain growers’ gain the best prices for quality grain will be drawn up through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The Grains Industry Market Access Forum will develop the $77,000 data base which records any contaminations and provide data for growers.
Recipient: Southern Cross Agriculture Exports Grant: $85,250
New standards for biological grain producers have the potential to grow our exports of this niche market through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
Southern Cross Agriculture Exports will develop an $85,250 biological farming standard and an audit framework that growers can use in market access negotiations.
Recipient: Grain Industry Association of Western Australia Grant: $132,000
Sweet Lupin growers’ get backing to open up Middle Eastern markets for their legume through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
The Grain Industry Association will develop a $132,000 market export strategy to help growers enter this new market.
Recipient: Primal Foods
Grant: $82,500
An online trading portal to match organic and alternative grains producers with exporters will be developed through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters Programme.
Primal Foods’ $82,500 12-month grant is for farmers and growers to access better prices for their grain.
Recipient: Vanderlinde Consulting
Grant: $67,122
Kangaroo meat exports to the European Union will be one step closer through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters programme.
Vanderlinde Consulting will receive a grant of up to $67,122 to develop an EU submission on lactic acid decontamination in kangaroo meat.
Recipient: Zapple Software
Grant: $227,095
A new mobile web app will make kangaroo products easier to trace, boosting their export potential through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters.
Under an 18 month $227,095 grant, Zapple Software will create the app that makes it quicker and easier to trace where the products have come from.
Recipient: M&S Food Consultants
Grant: $56,870
Better kangaroo skinning and boning controls could improve market access for the industry through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters.
M&S Food Consultants will use a grant of $56,870 to develop process and procedure controls to ensure our export reputation is further enhanced.
Recipient: Central Victorian Exporters Network Grant: $275,000
Small Victorian agribusinesses’ looking to export their produce will get specialist advice through a project funded under the Package Assisting Small Exporters.
Central Victorian Exporters Network will use the $275,000 grant to develop an advisory service, providing structured business support to agribusinesses to become export ready.
