Published Tuesday, 19 December, 2006 at 01:20 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
REPORT PLOTS ROAD TO SUGAR CANE INDUSTRY RECOVERY
Independent consultant Dr David Watson this morning provided a briefing to Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin and State Development Minister John Mickel on the processes being adopted to assess the economic impact of sugar cane smut.
Dr Watson provided an interim response on the structure for developing options for economic recovery.
“It is far too early for concrete conclusions. A final report will be presented by February 18 next year,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“What Dr Watson has done so far, as chair of the Smut Steering Committee, is meet with key players and establish clear principles and objectives for an economic analysis.
“Individual case studies are being developed which are PQA (Pest Quarantine Area) specific which will then be based on an economic analysis model.
“Expert scientific and economic factors are being taken into account, as well as input and feedback from the sugar industry in each of regions.’’
“Dr Watson will be visiting each of the regions affected by the smut.’’
Dr Watson’s team includes representatives of Canegrowers, BSES Ltd, the Australian Sugar Milling Council, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, State Development, Premier and Cabinet and Treasury. A place on the team was offered to the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry but the offer was declined.
“I am confident that after what I have heard today from Dr Watson that a clear plan to economic recovery will be identified,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
Media: 32396530
Dr Watson provided an interim response on the structure for developing options for economic recovery.
“It is far too early for concrete conclusions. A final report will be presented by February 18 next year,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“What Dr Watson has done so far, as chair of the Smut Steering Committee, is meet with key players and establish clear principles and objectives for an economic analysis.
“Individual case studies are being developed which are PQA (Pest Quarantine Area) specific which will then be based on an economic analysis model.
“Expert scientific and economic factors are being taken into account, as well as input and feedback from the sugar industry in each of regions.’’
“Dr Watson will be visiting each of the regions affected by the smut.’’
Dr Watson’s team includes representatives of Canegrowers, BSES Ltd, the Australian Sugar Milling Council, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, State Development, Premier and Cabinet and Treasury. A place on the team was offered to the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry but the offer was declined.
“I am confident that after what I have heard today from Dr Watson that a clear plan to economic recovery will be identified,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
Media: 32396530