Coalition makes multi-million-dollar dairy industry pledge
PEAK dairy farmer group Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) will receive $450,000 for two projects to benefit farmers as part of a $22 million funding package for the dairy industry if the Coalition wins the May election.
Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud announced a swag of funding and policy commitments today, including that ADF would receive $300,000 to develop a real time dairy payment system and supply chain information sharing capacity using blockchain technology, and $150,000 to develop with processors a simple standard form contract that incorporates requirements of the industry’s mandatory code of conduct.
ADF President Terry Richardson said the organisation supported this windfall for the dairy industry.
“It is fantastic to see a real plan for the dairy industry and delivers on a number of key imperatives that we know will assist the industry,” he said.
“The Coalition has clearly listened to the concerns of the industry and we look forward to delivering on these projects if the Coalition is returned to government.”
In addition, the Coalition has pledged:
- $10 million to support dairy farmers investing in more energy efficient equipment to reduce energy costs through more energy efficient equipment
- $8.1 million to extend the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) agriculture unit, a significant boost to the $2.7 million outlined in the 2020 budget;
- $3 million in grants to assist farmer groups to establish farm cooperatives and other collaborative business models;
- $500,000 to services body Dairy Australia to continue its financial and legal advice service to farmers, and to improve legal and financial literacy for contract negotiations with processors; and
- and a dairy industry specialist position within the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) agriculture unit;
Today’s funding announcement builds on the Coalition’s $560,000 commitment for ADF to facilitate the development of a new dairy industry trading platform, as well the implementation of a mandatory code of conduct.
Mr Richardson said the organisation was pleased with the commitment to ensure continued funding of the competition watchdog's agriculture unit.
'This is a timely and welcome announcement that will ensure the mandatory code of conduct is appropriately resourced, and the decision to appoint a dedicated dairy industry specialist within that unit is an important step in the process.”
The Coalition’s funding commitment aligns with the election platform released last week by the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) and available on the ADF website
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