Budget builds on plan for strong farm future

Published Tuesday, 04 June, 2013 at 02:35 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Treasurer and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Tim Nicholls

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Honourable John McVeigh

The Newman Government’s 2013-14 State Budget includes more than $400 million for primary industries, underpinning its drive to double food production at the farmgate by 2040.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister John McVeigh said the Budget featured $16 million over two years to help implement the Queensland Agriculture Strategy.

“This will see major expenditure on research, development and extension and further strengthen our biosecurity systems to make Queensland the most prepared state to prevent and combat foot and mouth disease,” Mr McVeigh said.

"We plan to boost the productivity of beef - our largest farm export - by strengthening the public and private beef sector partnership. This will occur through industry placement of two new extension officers, to provide consultancy advice and training activities for beef producers.

“These new beef extension officers will be embedded with well-known Yeppoon-based consulting service RCS. They will lead activities to improve producer knowledge and on-farm practices, helping farmers add value to their enterprises through greater production and profitability.

“These two new extension officers are part of 10 new frontline positions in the regions to support the implementation of the Queensland Agricultural Strategy.

“We’ve already embarked on a winter cereal pre-breeding program in conjunction with the University of Queensland through the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation.

“We’ll also continue a seven-year $20 million barley breeding transition plan to license a commercial partner to breed and commercialise varieties.”

Mr McVeigh said his department was leading a whole-of-government drought relief package worth up to $11.2 million in 2013-14 in response to the severe drought affecting Western and North Queensland.

“This includes land rent relief, animal welfare help through access to grazing in national parks and reserves and fencing of sensitive areas within parks,” he said.

Mr McVeigh said freight subsidies for fodder and water and a rebate for the installation of new water infrastructure, such as tanks, troughs, pumps, polypipe and new bores for animal welfare purposes, would be valued at up to $7 million in 2013-14.

“Of course, when drought hits regional communities it isn’t just farmers who are affected. Many other businesses and families suffer and Queensland Health will operate 40 mental health workshops across drought-declared regions at a cost of $165,000,” he said.

“To ensure producers and communities are aware of the drought assistance available, DAFF mobile offices will also travel through drought-affected areas.

“The Government is working to reduce the cost of livestock transport by providing free pilots to escort road trains along selected routes at an estimated cost of $100,000. Additional routes are under investigation to help further reduce the costs of livestock transport.

“Drought is not the only issue affecting many Queensland producers. In 2013-14 coastal Queensland will still be in recovery mode following the flooding and ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald.

“Assistance is available, including QRAA recovery grants of up to $25,000, freight subsidies and concessional loans, which the Newman Government is providing under the Exceptional Disaster Assistance Scheme at a historically low 1.7 per cent.”

Mr McVeigh said the Newman Government would continue to help the cattle industry through the current bovine Johne’s disease outbreak by providing $2 million in seed funding and a $3 million loan to be matched dollar-for-dollar by cattle producers through a voluntary industry levy.

“The Newman Government is also providing additional funding to eradicate fire ants,” he said.

“In 2013-14, the Federal Government and all other states and territories agreed to provide national funding of $15 million. Queensland is going above and beyond our share of $1.4 million, providing an additional $3 million to boost the total national budget.

“For Fisheries, we’ll continue implementing the $9 million inshore net buyback program of commercial licences.

“Over three years, we’ll invest $3 million in a project with the Queensland University of Technology to research, develop and fast-track farm robotics to help raise productivity and reduce input costs by automating planting, maintaining and harvesting of crops.”

Mr McVeigh said the 2013-14 Budget also featured a strong capital expenditure program of almost $20 million to develop and upgrade research facilities, including: 

  • $4.5 million to continue upgrading the department’s research and operational facilities
  • $2 million to continue upgrading the Spyglass Beef Research property
  • $1.5 million to further enhance existing biosecurity laboratory facilities at the Health and Food Sciences Precinct at Coopers Plains as part of the Agriculture Strategy
  • $1.5 million to continue Fisheries’ boat/equipment replacement for research and patrols
  • $1 million for new and replacement heavy plant and equipment including trucks, tractors and other machinery

Mr McVeigh said the 2013-14 State Budget put investment where it was needed to achieve the greatest benefit for farmers, while building strong and resilient communities.

[ENDS] 4 June 2013

Media Contact: Lachlan Millar 0407 394 580