6 years ago
Australian native food and botanicals to take on the world
Senator Anne Ruston
Nearly $400,000 in grants from the Australian Government to help the peak national body representing Australia’s rapidly growing native food and botanical sector.
Part of the $15 million Package Assisting Small Exporters (PASE) program.
PASE projects component has supported 55 projects totalling $9.8 million, making it easier and more attractive to export high-quality Australian products.
PASE projects component has supported 55 projects totalling $9.8 million, making it easier and more attractive to export high-quality Australian products.
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.”
Fast facts
PASE consists of three components: a rebate for eligible export registered establishments in the meat, dairy, fish, eggs, horticulture and grain and plant sectors; a fees and charges review and funding for projects that support market access for small exporters.
The rebate has been applied to all eligible establishments across the meat, dairy, fish, eggs, horticulture and grain and plant sectors, with more than 600 small exporters receiving a rebate on their export registration charges.
The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (now AgriFutures Australia) estimates the gross value of production of the native food industry was between $15 million and $25 million at the farm gate in 2010, with significant opportunities for growth through value adding.
Australia’s native food industry developed the Native Food Export Roadmap with funding from the Australian Government in 2016. The Roadmap found significant potential for the sector to maximise its export opportunities.
Australia’s native food industry developed the Native Food Export Roadmap with funding from the Australian Government in 2016. The Roadmap found significant potential for the sector to maximise its export opportunities.