Primary industries are one of Tasmania’s great competitive strengths which also support thousands of jobs in so many of our smaller regional communities, especially the electorate of Lyons. Tasmania’s recently announced Agri-Food Plan 2016-18 focuses on three core components of “grow, make and protect” and is our plan for sustainably growing our agriculture and food sectors, including seafood.

Through a wide range of initiatives our effort is targeted to increasing investment, improving productivity and building careers. We are delivering in areas like small business programs, water and irrigation, transport and freight, and research and development which contribute to the viability of the agri-food sector. This is in addition to our investments in biosecurity, a simplified dam approval process, less red tape and financial and social support during the recent droughts and flood events.

One prime example is an extension of the AgriGrowth Loan Scheme making it a $20 million facility to help grow agriculture and food businesses where there is often a long lead in time for delivering an income. Additionally, the Vegetable Productivity Partnership is a great example of the government working with the research sector and industry to improve crop productivity and encourage growth and job creation.  It will be delivered by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture and trial existing knowledge in Tasmania’s unique conditions, providing vital data with Tasmanian soils, temperatures and crops being grown under different agronomic systems empirical data around the effects of using bio-fumigation crops under Tasmanian conditions.

Another recent example of support for primary industries was funding for a truck wash at the Rural Services Centre at Powranna. Jointly funded by the Tasmanian and Australian governments, this $500,000 facility will help improve biosecurity, reduce the spread of weeds and pathogens, improve workplace health and remove animal effluent from our roads and highways.

The Agri-Food Scorecard helps us to track of progress and see just how well our primary industries are performing, despite many challenges. For example, agricultural production is up from $1.35 billion in 2013-14 to $1.43 billion in 2014-15 with growth in all of our key markets of potatoes, apples, pears and beef. Seafood was up by 12 per cent to $825 million, including an $89 million increase in salmon. And, while salmon is growing and the Tasmanian government is a strong supporter of this industry, we have also recognised that the industry needs to be sustainable and appropriately regulated to retain community confidence.

We know the market for our premium products is growing as Tasmania’s reputation is recognised interstate and internationally. Our vineyard plantings are increasing at a time when they are decreasing interstate. This also comes at a time when our beer, cider and whiskey industries lead the nation for quality and price. The Tasmanian Agri-Food Plan confirms the Hodgman Liberal government’s commitment to working with the private sector to keep delivering future policies and initiatives to achieve our full potential.