MEDIA RELEASE


17 September 2011: LNP Ag Strategy welcomed by CANEGROWERS

Doing Queensland’s part in meeting the global demand for food, which is set to double by 2050, appears to be high on the LNP’s agenda says peak group CANEGROWERS after perusing their election strategy released yesterday.

Steve Greenwood, CANEGROWERS CEO, said the newly released document underpins the LNP’s plans for growth with a raft of strategies. And while the detail is yet to be released, he says plans to strengthen agriculture – a cornerstone of the Queensland economy – is in itself, a welcome move.

“The strategy document promises that an LNP government will place agriculture as one of the ‘four pillars of the Queensland economy’, along with construction, resources and tourism,” says Greenwood.

“This is supported by strategy around improved infrastructure planning including focus on dams and transport.”

The other critical area addressed in the strategy, according to Greenwood, is rural skilling. He says cane growers and the regional communities in which they operate depend on labor and any move to improve agricultural skills and career pathways is a welcome move.

“A renewed focus on the development of a good mix of courses, apprenticeships and traineeships would be a great step forward in establishing agriculture as a professional pathway for rural and urban young people,” he said today.

Greenwood says that the LNP strategy has mooted the creation of a stand-alone agriculture department, which would provide world-class extension and support services to enable agricultural enterprises to position themselves for success in the market.

“The current approach to research, development and extension systems needs a shot in the arm so it can be the strong cornerstone we need it to be in addressing emerging challenges and capitalising on emerging markets and opportunities,” he explains.

CANEGROWERS welcomes plans for transformation research, capacity building, industry development, sustainability and improved international linkages. “These are all strong planks of a future-based strategy which recognises agricultural R&D as having a strong foundation in science and innovation for economic success.”

The strategy gives a commitment to protect strategic cropping land, commits to a strong bio-security system and renounces any LNP support for a proposed carbon tax. The LNP says they plan to work with peak bodies, farmers and communities to implement a strategy aiming to double Queensland food production by 2040.

With a state election in the wings, CANEGROWERS is due to release its advocacy agenda any day now.


Media comment: Steve Greenwood | CANEGROWERS CEO | 0488 721 156
More information: Suzi Moore | CANEGROWERS Communications | 0427 641 239 | 07 3864 6444 |