The State Government will contribute to the cost of sponsoring independent reporting of livestock saleyard prices from now to June 30, 1994.
Agriculture Minister Ernie Bridge said the new sponsorship arrangement, combined with funds already provided this financial year for market reports, represented a $23,000 commitment over two years.
He understood the market reporting service was also supported by private sponsorship negotiated by the market reporter, Mr Bill Nicholls.
"I welcome that industry support, which is appropriate for the provision of an industry service," Mr Bridge said.
"The long-term aim should be full industry support of the service, but the Government will continue to meet a proportion of the cost till the end of 1993-94 to allow time for industry support to be firmed up before concluding our contribution."
The Minister said the Government had provided almost $37,000 annually since June, 1989, for a weekly summary of livestock price trends for dissemination to industry, but the weekly report did not appear to be being used.
As a consequence, the Government would now contribute to the market reporting service generally rather than a weekly report.
"Industry will need to determine its priorities in regard to continuing the service in the long term, but the Department of Agriculture is available to assist industry groups with any approach they may wish to make to the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation to increase its support, or to secure other avenues of private funding," Mr Bridge said.
