ONE year and one week out from next year’s NSW election, the Coalition today released its big picture plans for agriculture, with the focus on the State’s potential to boost trade with Asia.
The Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson also released the Agriculture Industry Action Plan.
Written by a taskforce led by beef producer Lucinda Corrigan, the draft paper lists 41 recommendations.
The recommendations address research, development and extension to developing an infrastructure investment plan to prioritise key development to cutting red tape and focusing on business development.
“The action plan represents the first time a NSW government has undertaken such a co-operative and strategic approach to planning for the future of the agricultural industries,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
The taskforce received 44 submissions on the issues paper it released in July 2013 and the draft recommendations paper is now open for public comment.
Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner emphasised NSW’s potential to capitalise in Asia.
“Our location and timing of seasons, together with the high quality of our produce, mean NSW is perfectly positioned to take advantage of rising consumer demand in Australia,” Mr Stoner said.
The plan is part of the government’s 10-year economic reform plan due in 2021.
Visit www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au to comment on the plan by the end of April.