NSW Labor has announced a plan to “turbocharge” dairy exports in what State primary industries minister Katrina Hodgkinson described as a “bizarre announcement”.
The Labor party said its NSW Dairy Export Plan was a “key plank of Labor’s industry plan.”
Labor said it would develop the plan within its first year of government, should the party win next year’s election.
In partnership with the dairy industry, Labor said it would try to expand dairy production in NSW, create new jobs and encourage fairer farm gate prices.
NSW Labor leader John Robertson and Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan were joined by Labor candidate for Kiama Glenn Kolomeitz and Labor candidate for South Coast Fiona Philips to launch the plan at a dairy farm near Berry.
“I want to see the dairy industry in NSW take its rightful place as a major supplier to Asia of fresh dairy products," Mr Robertson said.
"I am well aware that the dairy industry has been struggling in NSW over the last decade with a marked decline in the number of farms.
"While NSW does have some great dairy success stories –such as the Bega Co-op and Norco - I see the potential for NSW dairy farmers and producers to grab a much bigger slice of the pie in the growing markets of Asia, particularly in China.”
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan said while there had been successes, the government was "missing in action in developing a coherent export plan with the industry."
“Regrettably, Victoria and New Zealand - with the active engagement of their governments - have quickly taken advantage while NSW has lagged behind," he said.
But Ms Hodgkinson described the announcement as nothing more than a “plan for a plan.”
She said the government already supported the growth of the NSW dairy industry, by investing in a comprehensive study to identify development opportunities for the NSW dairy industry, including future international trade opportunities; passing legislation to free up $1 million of dairy industry funds; investing in the latest research and development, like the Dairy Farm Monitor Project and expanding the network of NSW International Trade Offices in Asia to help increase NSW exports.
“In contrast Labor closed international trade offices, effectively telling the world NSW was closed for business,” she said.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals government has a strong plan to grow the dairy industry and increase exports – whereas Labor’s plan consists of a press release that promises a plan for a plan,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“We are helping our NSW milk producers export to Asia, with NSW Trade & Investment advisers working with Lismore-based Norco to secure a deal to supply fresh NSW-branded milk to China.”
Ms Hodgkinson said the detailed study the DPI has commissioned will be completed in August and will provide investors with market options, identifying unnecessary business impediments, and further research and development activities.
“We are also developing an Agriculture Industry Action Plan – for the first time in the history of our State – which will increase agricultural exports, put regional produce on the shelves in Asia and grow jobs and investment in NSW.”
