Australia’s growing native food sector has been supported in its push to export more of its produce overseas, with an almost $400,000 investment from the Australian Government.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, today announced that two proposals from the Australian Native Food and Botanicals were awarded grants under the final round of the government’s Package Assisting Small Exporters (PASE) program.
“Opportunity beckons for the Australian native foods to significantly increase exports for a range of products through better understanding of international requirements,” Minister Ruston said.
“The government is supporting Australian Native Food and Botanicals to get these high-value, high-quality, uniquely Australian products to overseas consumers.
“While exports are currently limited, there is a growing demand for a range of Australian native foods and botanicals internationally.
“One project will specifically look to address regulations in Europe and the United States, in addition to global Codex standards, that apply to our native food exports.
“This project will be developing and applying a methodology to improve market access for three native food species: anise myrtle, Kakadu plum and wattle seed.
“The other project will develop an application for Generally Recognised As Safe, or GRAS status, for lemon myrtle leaf, which would greatly improve the access this product has to the United States and globally.
“These projects are another example of the practical help we are providing to drive real export returns for our nation’s economy.
“The government has put a focus on opening access to premium overseas markets to drive profits back through the farmgate for our nation’s producers and growers.
“These grants are a part of the government’s $15 million PASE program, which is helping improve market access for small exporters of meat, eggs, dairy, fish, horticultural, grain and plant products.”
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