On March 8, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce announced that $800,000 in funding would be provided to train four hundred more industry-based officers, joining 1063 already in the field. The program allows horticulture exporters to have their staff trained or hire trained third parties to tick off produce for export to select markets, instead of waiting on Agriculture Department staff.
Australian Table Grape Association chief executive Jeff Scott said the initiative had given exporters “enormous flexibility”.
“The logistics of getting Department inspectors to come out was frustrating — it was timely and cost a lot for the grower,” Mr Scott said.
Mr Scott cited one logistics company that previously could do no more than eight inspections a day. This year, the same company put through 54 containers in three days.
“We’re only just into the export season and, of about 2500 containers, I’m aware of only two of those inspections done by Government inspectors,” Mr Scott said.
Tasmanian cherry grower Howard Hansen, of Hansen Orchards, said he was able to export two and a half times more cherries than last year and saved about $100,000.
While the program was working “exceptionally well”, Mr Scott said an audit in its first years would ensure no corners were being cut.
External authorised officers can service protocol markets of Japan, Republic of Korea, Vietnam, US, New Zealand, Thailand, Taiwan and China.
Mr Joyce said, “This is another example of the government reducing unnecessary red tape, which is critical to achieving a fairer return at the farmgate.”
