Media releases
Friday 14 June 2002 - MVT061/2002
North Coast Region Home to Vibrant Agricultural Exporters
The NSW North Coast is one of the most vibrant agricultural exporting
regions in Australia contributing more than $650 million to the economy
each year, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said today.
Appearing at the opening of the Primex Agricultural Field Days at
Casino, Mr Vaile said the North Coast was home to the world’s largest
tea tree oil plantation and Australia’s largest single soybean, blueberry
and macadamia nut production areas, as well as traditional export
industries like beef and dairy.
“Companies such as the Australian Fruit Producers at Brooklet, Agrimac
Macadamias at Alstonville, and Mariani Foods in Casino export 50-85
per cent of their products to overseas markets each year,” Mr Vaile
said.
“The future of the region’s agricultural industries and their capacity
to contribute to growth and jobs depend in large part on the conditions
they face in overseas markets.”
Mr Vaile said Australia had achieved 240 new market access wins for
animal, plant and food products over the past five years.
“These wins have brought numerous benefits to a variety of agricultural
industries on the North Coast including those producing and exporting
grains, meat and livestock, horticulture, dairy and sugar,” Mr Vaile
said.
“Agriculture is a key part of the Government’s trade policy priorities.
The Government is striving on many levels to ensure that the people
of rural and regional Australia have access to the best possible opportunities
in overseas markets for their agricultural produce.
“We are fighting for agricultural trade policy reform in our bilateral,
regional and multilateral trade relations – most notably in the World
Trade Organization and in our discussions to negotiate Free Trade
Agreements.”
Media Contact: Mark Croxford +61 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Thursday, 17-May-2012 16:51:32 EST
