THE State Government will invest over $140 million of new funding to “safeguard the future of NSW’s agricultural industry”.
On Friday NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty visited Tocal College in the Hunter Valley to announce a $100 million dollar funding boost to the state’s biosecurity system, with a further $41.2 million to be invested in upgrading a government research and development program for agriculture.
Minister Moriarty said biosecurity is receiving “unprecedented attention from our Government” due to an increasing risk to our farmers and landscapes.
“We are standing with our farmers to show them the way on how to deal with these problems and to battle any feral problems head-on to make a real difference,” she said.
“We are [also] committed to modernising our research and development effort for primary industries with an additional $41.2 million, so that there has been more than $100 million in new funding over the last year, and it is bringing a stronger, strategic and resilient focus to the future of primary industries.
“Establishing a graduate pathway for young scientists and researchers into our primary industries research program is essential to maintaining a continuous and dedicated specialist workforce driven by purpose and achievement.”
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said practical, long-term funding for biosecurity systems was long overdue, with feral animal species estimated to cost the state 500 million dollars in damages every year.
“Everything from feral pigs and fire ants to deer and wild dogs are causing grief everywhere we turn, and soon it won’t just affect our farming – it will affect our way of life,” Mr Martin said.
“Coordinated action to fight pests and weeds, continued funding to implement eID for sheep and goats, and supports to ensure we can prevent and respond to plant and animal disease incursions are what farmers need at a minimum to keep on farming.
“While we’re still unpacking the details of this announcement and what it will mean for agriculture, we know investment in our biosecurity systems is what will strengthen our sector – and it is good to see our government commit to delivering that.”
Research and development would also be critical to agriculture in the future, Mr Martin said.
“The hugely complex challenges to production that stem from emissions reduction, land use conflict and environmental conservation demand continued research and development if we want to keep our farmers farming,” Mr Martin said.
“Adequately resourced research and development has the potential to drive benefits not just in the paddock, but to the broader economy, and that must not be stifled in any way, shape or form.”
A spokesperson for Tocal College said the announcement marked “an exciting day for agriculture”, noting that the Tocal Dairy upgrade that is being funded by the NSW Government was another topic for discussion on the day.
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