28/10/05
Clever new ideas that help sell Western Australian food to the world will attract support worth up to $200,000 under a new fund announced today by Agriculture Minister Kim Chance.
Mr Chance said the aim of the Department of Agriculture’s WA Food Industry Development Fund was to give the State’s vibrant food industry a further boost and increase the returns and long-term viability of food processing and farm enterprises.
“The WA agri-food industry contributes $10billion to the State’s economy, employs 11 per cent of the workforce and is the third biggest export earner in WA,” he said.
“We have reached these heights thanks in no small way to fast-thinking innovation and creativity.
“Whether in terms of developing new crop varieties, adapting to changing climatic conditions or coming up with new marketing ideas, this ability to innovate is a WA strength.”
Mr Chance said WA had a proud record of thinking beyond the farm gate and the WA Food Industry Development Fund would encourage that kind of creative approach to taking our produce to the rest of the country and the world.
“I am sure that this will be the launching pad for some great WA success stories and another example of how the department can work with people within the industry to deliver fantastic results that benefit the sector, the people in it and the State as a whole,” he said.
“The Gallop Government is providing new opportunities for Western Australians.”
Projects that meet the funding criteria will be eligible to receive between $10,000 and $200,000 in assistance from the Government on a matching dollar-for-dollar basis.
Further information can be obtained by calling Nicole Fernandes at the Department of Agriculture on 9368 3459.
Minister's office - 9213 6700
