Victorian Produce Feeds Families At Home And Abroad

  • Minister for Agriculture

Victoria’s food and fibre continues to feed and clothe the world during the global pandemic.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes today welcomed a $110 million initiative announced by the Commonwealth Government to help Australia’s agricultural and fisheries sector send product into overseas markets by securing dedicated freight flights.

Victoria is Australia’s leading producer and exporter of agriculture and food products, generating more than $14 billion of food and fibre exports in 2018-19, equal to 26 per cent of the national total.

Victorian farmers are continuing to produce high-quality food for Victorian tables and have ample to share with interstate and international partners.

The nation-wide International Freight Assistance Mechanism will allow key routes to continue for exports until commercial capacity returns.

Continuing to enable food and fibre exports provides further stability for the regional economy, which was further boosted with yesterday’s launch of the Victorian Government’s $50 million Agriculture Workforce Plan.

The plan matches workers displaced by coronavirus with employers in the agriculture sector – individuals and businesses who wish to register can do so at vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria.

For more information on coronavirus and agriculture, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au.

As stated by Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes

“Our farmers are producing plenty of food – there is no need to panic buy – and this will assist our primary producers to fill international orders, too.”

“We’re addressing this unprecedented crisis as a united team in Australia and this is another example of how we are at our best when we work together.”

As stated by Minister for Fishing and Boating Jaala Pulford

“Our export fisheries have had a really tough summer with their catches impacted by loss of overseas markets – this is a welcome announcement that will help ease pressure on Victorian commercial fisheries and protect jobs.”

/Public Release. View in full here.