Media Release: Growing agricultural exports for Mayo farmers

Farmers and producers across Mayo are set to reap the benefits of the Turnbull Government’s trade push in the 2018-19 Budget.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston said a $51.3 million package in the Federal Budget would give Australian agriculture stronger representation from Europe and the UK to Latin America, and across key markets in Asia.

“Whether its Victor Harbour, the Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island or McLaren Vale, agriculture is the backbone of so many of our local communities,” Minister Ruston said.

“The Turnbull Government is reinvesting in these communities by delivering more market access so farmers can have choice as to where they sell their produce, and can negotiate for the best prices,” Minister Ruston said.

“We are funding six new Ag counsellor positions in key emerging export markets and extending five agricultural counsellor positions in Vietnam, Malaysia, the Middle East, China and Thailand.

“Free trade agreements can reduce tariffs, but we need market access agreements for each specific commodity before our farmers can export their produce there.

“Agricultural Counsellors give us market access agreements by working through the science for each commodity with each relevant country.

“More exports means more jobs – we’re not going to get rich selling to ourselves.”

Minister Ruston said the Coalition is also continuing popular and practical small business initiatives.

“Farmers and small businesses will continue to have access to the $20,000 instant asset write-offs for a further 12 months to enable them to replace or upgrade things like the old work ute,” Minister Ruston said.

The agricultural councillors will work to remove barriers and create export protocol agreements for specific fruits, vegetables and other commodities so they can be exported into other countries.