24/11/05
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance today congratulated Challenge Australian Dairy at the launch of its new Capel brand, a Western Australian-owned and manufactured dairy range.
The new range includes ‘Capel Choice’, a variety of block, slice and shredded cheeses. This will be available on retail shelves from December, and will be the only hard cheeses processed in WA and made from 100 per cent local Western Australian milk.
Mr Chance said the introduction of the new Capel product range reflected the company’s push into the domestic and overseas markets of branded cheese products and was the result of its recent $1.5million investment in modernising the Capel dairy processing facility.
“The Gallop Government is very supportive of the increased production of WA foods and to see consumers offered a range of dairy products made with WA milk is good news for the State’s dairy industry,” the Minister said.
“This new brand is a major milestone for the WA dairy farmer co-operative.”
Mr Chance said the State Government, through the Department of Agriculture, was committed to supporting innovation in the State’s agri-food industry, which was valued at close to $10billion.
“The State needs investment in food innovation, along with strong international partnerships and efficient business models, in order to expand this export-oriented industry and deliver sustainable returns to their rural and farming communities,” he said.
“The Department of Agriculture will continue to work with the WA food industry to achieve this.
“These are very competitive times for the industry and the Gallop Government will continue to encourage innovation and value-adding. We need to keep the State at the forefront of food product development and marketing to ensure an edge in world markets.”
Minister's office: 9213 6700
