Australian Federal Budget 2018

The 9 May 2018 Budget included a range of new initiatives for the Agriculture and Water Resources Portfolio.

Minister Littleproud’s  work is improving market access to the benefit of the industry. Initiatives relevant to the feed ingredients and additives sector include:

Biosecurity – Border clearance

$7.5M has been allocated to a ‘modern, seamless border clearance’ and $27.8M to assurance, verification and enforcement.   An automated system for clearance is intended to reduce the interaction of border security and imports at entry. The funding will allow trial and implementation of emerging technologies to target higher risk items and facilitate entry for low risk goods.

APVMA digital strategy

An allocation of $10.1M over three years has been made to fund a digital strategy for the APVMA. This is to provide the agency with a modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment.  The move is welcomed by the FIAAA. A modern IT system is an essential component of a simplified, best practice regulatory system.

APVMA Board

An unexpected inclusion was the establishment of an APVMA Board. It is understood this has been prompted by timeline and related failures over the last few years. Nevertheless, the more recent trend has been for improvement. So a better use of funds could be continuation of administrative and regulatory reforms.

More information can be found on the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website

Noelene Davis

Executive Manager, FIAAA