Australia's Farming Future
Source: Australia. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
"Australia’s Farming Future is the Australian Government’s climate change initiative for primary industries. It provides funding over four years to help primary producers adapt and respond to climate change. The objective of Australia’s Farming Future is to equip primary producers to adapt and adjust to the impacts of climate change."

Wine: A Partnership 2010-2015.
Source: SA. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release.
"The South Australian wine industry is joining forces with the State Government to strengthen its position as the nation’s pre-eminent wine producer.
Agriculture Minister, Paul Caica, and Co-Chair of the South Australian Wine Industry Council, Louisa Rose, have released a five year strategy, Wine: A Partnership 2010-2015."

INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE YIELDS BIOTECH JOBS BOOST
Source: Victoria. Premier. Media Release
"A new research alliance between the Victorian Government and Dow AgroSciences will create 30 new Victorian agricultural biotech jobs, the Premier John Brumby announced. Signing the research agreement with Dow in Melbourne, Mr Brumby said it was a major step forward in expanding the scope and scale of research Dow undertakes in Victoria.“This alliance further builds on Victoria’s biotechnology reputation and will assist Victorian farmers to meet the growing global demand for food,” Mr Brumby said. This agreement will accelerate and expand the alliance and development of improved plant traits, further cementing Victoria’s status as one of the top five biotechnology hubs in the world."

Productivity Commission inquiry into rural research and development
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release.
"Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke. The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, have today announced the terms of reference for a Productivity Commission inquiry into rural research and development corporation arrangements. The Australian Government collects industry levies under legislation for the purpose of research and development and matches expenditure on research and development on a 1:1 basis, up to 0.5 per cent of industry gross value of production."

Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy
Source: Tasmania. Dept of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
"Broad scale clearing and conversion of native forest on private land in Tasmania will be progressively phased out by 2015. An annual limit of up to 40 hectares of conversion per property will be imposed until 2015, after which only small-scale clearing of 20 hectares over any five-year period will be allowed. The new measures by the State Government are part of an updated policy for maintaining a permanent native forest estate. A limit of 40 hectares of conversion each year on any property has been introduced to ensure the remaining area available for conversion is managed equitably for the benefit of all landowners. The government says the revision will provide the landowners with certainty that they will have a continuing opportunity to undertake small-scale clearing to develop their farms for some years to come. The policy does not restrict the sustainable use of native forest, only the conversion to other land uses."

DIRECT ACTION ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Source: Australia. Federal Opposition. Policy
"A Coalition Government will take direct action to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by five percent by 2020. The Coalition’s climate action policy provides incentives for Australian families and businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and focuses on meaningful, effective and direct action to improve Australia’s environment."

THE COALITION'S DIRECT ACTION PLAN - POLICY
Source: Australia. Opposition Leader. Policy
"A Coalition Government will implement a climate change strategy based on direct action to reduce emissions and improve the environment. Direct action on soil carbons will be the major plank of our strategy, supported by other direct action measures that will reduce CO2 emissions by 5 per cent by 2020 based on 1990 levels and deliver significant environmental outcomes – without the need for a great big new tax."

GM choice for WA canola growers
Source: Western Australia. Premier. Minister for Agriculture and Food
"The State Government today announced genetically modified (GM) canola could from this year onwards be grown in Western Australia. Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman has approved an exemption order under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 to permit the cultivation of GM canola, which will offer growers added choice in their cropping systems. This decision brings WA in line with the other major grain-growing States, New South Wales and Victoria, where growers have been able to grow GM canola commercially since 2008."

Caring for our Country
Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts. Joint Media Release

"Reducing the impact of pest animals, improving the health of the Great Barrier Reef and protecting Australia's coastline from the effects of climate change are among the key priorities for investment in the second annual business plan for the Australian Government's $2 billion Caring for our Country initiative. Announcing the launch of the 2010-11 Caring for our Country business plan today, Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister, Tony Burke, said more than $300 million would be invested in environmental protection and sustainable resource management. ...Mr Garrett and Mr Burke said the 2010-11 business plan sets out clear targets for investment which would contribute to the achievement of the five year outcomes for Caring for our Country. "

SA INITIATIVE PREPARES WINE INDUSTRY FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
Source: SA. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release.
" A new information kit will put South Australian vignerons on the front foot in dealing with climate change and variability. Prepared by scientists from the SA Research and Development Institute. During a visit to the Coonawarra wine region today, Agriculture Minister, Paul Caica said the kit sets out a well-designed process, backed by climate science to help growers adapt to a changing climate."

SECURING THE FUTURE FOR VICTORIA’S TIMBER INDUSTRY
Source: Victoria. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release
"The Brumby Labor Government released a Timber Industry Strategy which provides a new long-term direction for Victoria’s timber industry with a focus on resource security. Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said the new strategy would help underpin the future viability of the state’s timber industry and establish Victoria as a world leader in sustainable timber industries.“The Brumby Labor Government understands the importance of Victoria’s timber industry to regional and rural communities and that’s why we are taking action to secure its long-term future,” Mr Helper said. Our vision is for a productive, competitive and sustainable timber industry, based on secure and sustainable native and plantation forests."
Timber Industry Strategy

New Queensland Wine Industry Action Plan
Source: Queensland. Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland. Media Release
"A new two-year action plan will see the State Government and the wine industry continue to work closely together to create new growth opportunities. Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin launched the Wine Industry Action Plan 2009-2011 at a special discussion forum in Toowoomba for leading members of the State’s wine industry. The Minister, who is responsible for the development of Queensland’s wine industry, said the new plan would build on the Government’s previous five-year strategy."

Australian Landcare Council reinstated
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release
"The Rudd Government has reinforced its commitment to the Landcare movement by reactivating the Australian Landcare Council and appointing former Western Australia Agriculture Minister Kim Chance as Chair of the Council.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said Landcare plays a vital role in natural resource management across Australia and has more than 100,000 volunteers in around 4,500 groups."

Australia joins new global research alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Climate Change and Water. Joint media release
"Australia has become a key member of a new Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases which was launched today at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, joined New Zealand Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues, the Hon. Tim Grosser, and American Secretary of Agriculture, Tim Vilsack in launching the Alliance, which formalises the ongoing collaboration of international research efforts on agriculture mitigation."

Trees on Farms
Source: Forestry Tasmania
"A tree planting project being developed by Forestry Tasmania will benefit farmers and help offset global warming. The project is part of an integrated farm management strategy called the Trees on Farms project which is targeted at giving farmers the opportunity to reclaim weed-infested land, secure a new revenue stream, provide shelter for stock and crops, and increase the capital value of land. Trees will be established at no cost to farmers who, in return, will protect them from stock and browsing animals. The trees will be harvested in 15 to 30 years with the profits to be shared between Forestry Tasmania and the landowner. Forestry Tasmania is currently assessing land suitable for inclusion in the Trees on Farms project, which is about to be officially launched."

SUBMISSIONS INVITED ON FUTURE OF PLANT BIOSECURITY
Source: Victoria. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release
"The Brumby Labor Government is calling on submissions to proposed new laws designed to further protect Victoria’s $3 billion plant industry from disease outbreaks. Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said the draft Plant Biosecurity Bill, which would replace Plant Health and Plant Products Act 1995, aimed to prevent the entry of plant pests and diseases into Victoria.“The Brumby Labor Government understands the importance of keeping Victoria free of pests and diseases to ensure the long-term viability of our 11,000 plant-based industries,” Mr Helper said.“We want to protect and secure the market access of Victorian producers for plants and plant products both locally, interstate and overseas.”Mr Helper said a key component of the draft bill was the introduction of a Property Identification Code (PIC) database for plant industries that will enable Government to quickly contact property owners or find properties growing affected crops after a pest or disease detection.“The PIC database can be used to establish a comprehensive list of Victorian producers, which would greatly speed up any emergency responses,” he said."

NEW STANDARDS FOR HANDLING LIVESTOCK
Source: Victoria. Minister for Agriculture. Media Release
"New laws introduced this month will provide greater certainty relating to animal welfare, biosecurity and traceability standards for Victoria’s livestock industry. Introducing the Livestock Management Act into Parliament this week, Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said Victoria was moving to create uniform welfare standards that everyone must meet.“The Brumby Labor Government recognises that market, customer and community expectations are changing and there is a need to develop nationally consistent standards for handling livestock,” Mr Helper said.“We want to see greater clarity of owners’ responsibilities, which will then minimise the regulatory and cost burdens for industry. The new legislation will also assist in maintaining productivity and market access for livestock businesses.”

Queensland timber plantation 2020 strategy released
Source: Queensland. Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland. Media Release
"The Queensland Government released for consultation the Queensland Timber Plantation Strategy 2020 which sets out the way forward for the industry post the sale of Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ). Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin said the strategy signals a fundamental change of role for the government from direct ownership of timber plantations, to one of leadership and direction-setting.
The strategy features five key planks:
improved land-use planning framework for timber plantations
supportive legislative and policy frameworks
facilitating new investment in timber plantations
targeted industry development support
strengthening community support for timber plantations."

New land access plans pave the way for better relations
Source: Queensland. Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade. Media Release
"The Bligh Government moved a step closer to realising its Land Access Strategy and delivering on its commitment to introduce new measures to improve relationships between farmers and resource companies. The Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson said proposed changes to current land access requirements will be pivotal in creating a more equitable regime. “Cabinet has approved the preparation of legislative amendments that provide for a more consistent and transparent process that will improve landholders’ rights when their land is accessed for exploration. This is about providing certainty to all stakeholders about their respective rights and responsibilities when it comes to land access."

Making Australia's forest industries more competitive
Source: Australia. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Media Release
"A new processing facility, an upgrade of a plywood plant and an Indigenous housing project are among six forestry initiatives to share in more than $2.3 million from the Rudd Government.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke today announced the first grants under the Forest Industries Development Fund."