Victoria’s farm export boom depends on water security
February 3, 2012
A recent report on Victoria’s food and fibre export performance released by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) shows that Victoria is recovering from the drought.
The agriculture and food exports out of Victorian ports have now set a record with its earnings surging to $8.1billion for the financial year 2010-2011. Most of it was grown in Victoria.
“Victoria is a major supplier of food and fibre to the world markets, accounting for 28% of Australia’s farm exports.
Dr Sharman Stone, Federal Member for Murray says “this farm export boom is a huge credit to our farmers. It comes after the long hard struggle with the drought, assorted plagues, flooding and the high Australian dollar.”
“However, given this great contribution to Victoria and Australia’s economy and jobs, it staggers belief that the Gillard government wants to take away the Murray Darling Basin water that has created much of this food bonanza.
“The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) continues to demand water buy backs from irrigators. This can only reduce productivity.
“Victoria has already given enough environmental water for the Murray Darling Basin. This Gillard Government should be using what it already has much more effectively,” said Dr Stone.
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