Three regional Western Australian companies have led the country in collectively receiving the greatest funding allocation from the first round of the federal government's $35 million Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program (RFPIPP).
Three regional Western Australian companies have led the country in collectively receiving the greatest funding allocation from the first round of the federal government's $35 million Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program (RFPIPP).
The RFPIPP aims to boost the productivity and competitiveness of Australia's regional food and seafood industries through innovation and technology improvements, for both domestic and export markets.
The Western Australian Meat Marketing Co-operative Limited (WAMMCO) was the nation's biggest winner from the first round of funding allocations having received $2,516,640 for the implementation of innovative boning, skinning, packing and conveyance technology in WAMMCO's Katanning meat processing facility.
The Craig Mostyn Group was granted $347,415 to adopt laser-guided cutting robots in the business's Wooroloo slaughter room, maximising yield, productivity and efficiency.
Challenge Australia Dairy in Capel will use its grant funding of $489,800 to design and implement innovative new milk concentration technology, enabling more efficient production of bulk milk for export.
Craig Mostyn Group executive director, Andrew Mostyn said his Woorooloo workers were very excited at the prospect of having the German-designed, laser-guided robotics in the abbatoir.
"We take pride in having up-to-date, state-of-the-art working conditions," Mr Mostyn told WA Business News.
"This wouldn't have come about without the funding allocation.
"As a stand-alone, it wouldn't have met the financial criteria to implement the robotics.
"We've done a couple of worldwide excursions to see different technologies implmented in different countries.
"It (the laser-guided robotic slaughtering equipment) does some slicing and cutting and dicing and it does it a treat.
"It's cutting and it's cutting edge."
Shadow Agriculture Minister Mick Murray has welcomed the news for Challenge Australian Dairy which exports milk and dairy products to 11 countries as well as to major retail chains throughout Australia.
"This funding will enable Challenge Australian Dairy to improve its export capabilities, which will benefit the entire State by establishing solid trade relationships and generating profits," he said.
Around two-thirds of Australia's food commodities are exported, worth more than $23 billion annually.
Yesterday, the Rudd Government announced $6.4 million to help 15 regional businesses across the country.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the food and beverage industry supported more than 200,000 jobs across Australia and global competitiveness was key to ensure the industry continues to grow.
"This funding will underpin productivity growth right along the food production chain and value-adding to Australian produce," he said.
"The Government will continue working to promote free trade globally and support the movement of food around the world."
Full announcement(s) below:
$6.4 million to support regional jobs through food innovation
17 August 2009
The Rudd Government has announced $6.4 million to help 15 regional businesses boost innovation in Australia's food industry, for both domestic and export markets.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the funding was under the first round of the Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program.
The program was an election commitment for the Government, to help support regional jobs and regional economies through new technology and productivity improvements.
The 15 businesses cover a range of food industries, including seafood, nuts, dairy, vegetables and meat, covering regional economies in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, NSW, Queensland and Western Australia.
Projects include installing laser-guided cutting 'robots' to maximise yield and efficiency in a slaughter room and adopting innovative chestnut-peeling equipment, to bring offshore processing back to Australia.
Mr Burke said the food and beverage industry supported more than 200,000 jobs across Australia and global competitiveness was key to ensure the industry continues to grow.
"People in our food industries work hard to establish a competitive edge and the Government wants to encourage their efforts," Mr Burke said.
"Food production is a critical industry, not only for regional jobs, but also because Australia will have a role in helping to address the world food shortage.
"This funding will underpin productivity growth right along the food production chain and value-adding to Australian produce.
"The Government will continue working to promote free trade globally and support the movement of food around the world."
Around two-thirds of Australia's food commodities are exported, worth more than $23 billion annually.
Capel dairy producer receives federal government funding
Shadow Agriculture Minister Mick Murray today welcomed the first round of Federal Government funding for regional food producers, including a Western Australian-based dairy company.
Mr Murray said Challenge Australian Dairy in Capel had received $489,800 from the Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program to design and implement innovative new milk concentration technology, enabling more efficient production of bulk milk for export.
"Challenge Australian Dairy exports milk and dairy products to 11 countries as well as to major retail chains throughout Australia," he said.
"This funding will enable Challenge Australian Dairy to improve its export capabilities, which will benefit the entire State by establishing solid trade relationships and generating profits."
Mr Murray said the first round of funding had delivered almost $6.4million to 15 regional businesses from across Australia.
"The Federal Labor Government is delivering a total of $35million over four years to the food and beverage industry - Australia's largest manufacturing industry," he said.
"The Barnett Government must follow the lead of the Rudd Government by supporting Western Australian primary industry to ensure WA's food and beverage producers remain globally competitive."
