Media

Release 31 July 2013 Whats in it for mefrom paddock to plate?

ALP Federal Candidate for Mallee has today announced what is actually in the Federal Labor Plan for our food future. Lydia said I am very disappointed that so few people have detailed knowledge, if any, of this very impressive plan for our Nations future with very real benefits for the Mallee. The National Food Plan Our Food Future details how we propose to fund and grow all food related business from paddock to plate between now and 2025, delivering a 45% growth in exports and an increase of 30% in overall productivity. Lydia says, the plan has many long overdue goals such as reducing trade barriers and increasing market access and other opportunities through active facilitation services such as; the Asian Century Business Engagement Plan; Growth Opportunities & Leadership Development Services; Export Development Grants and the promotion of Australias world class Food Safety Management and Biosecurity Systems. Lydia went on to say there are some huge dollars invested in this plan, for example: $28.5m Asian Food Market Research $5.6m to build relationships with trading partners in key emerging markets $2m to develop our brand identity $700m world leading research & development system $23m in food specific related research $9 Billion over five years skills development and workforce $60 Billion in infrastructure and biosecurity $5.8 Billion in sustainable rural water use & infrastructure program $30.4 Billion in the National Broadband Network

PO Box 468, Irymple, VIC 3498 m: 0438 130 028 f: 03 5024 7716 e: lydia@lydiasenior.com.au w: w ww.lydiasenior.com.au

$1.5m in training resources $932m over 9 years in the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Heath $87m in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Chronic Disease Fund over four years $18.3m in the kitchen garden national program $411m in global food security strategies $1.5m in community grants $600m in Caring for our country sustainable agriculture stream $415 Billion in the Water for the Future initiative $429m in the Carbon Farming futures program Lydia said this is only a snapshot of the ALP plan and I strongly recommend that every person in the Mallee obtains and reads a copy of the full plan available at daff.gov.au/nationalfoodplan or by email to nationalfoodplan@daff.gov.au or by telephone to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 02 6272 3933 or at www.lydiasenior.com.au There has been much talk of the Mallee being or becoming the food bowl of Asia, to maintain our lead and grow our future we need a plan for innovation and this National Food Plan is the ONLY plan I have seen that would do the trick. I have not seen a plan from any other political parties, and I encourage you to ask them for it. After all you will need to make a choice regarding who has a better plan for the Mallee. She said.