Restoring the Queensland strawberry industry’s worldwide reputation for safe and delicious berries is at the core of the Palaszczuk Government’s million-dollar strawberry sabotage response fund. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner outlined the breakdown of the funding today.
“This attack on our strawberry industry was cowardly, calculated and callous,” Mr. Furner commented “But our response has been swift. In an unprecedented move, the Premier immediately put up a $100,000 reward for any information leading to the capture of those responsible.And our Government was the first to offer financial support to the strawberry industry, with the Premier announcing $1 million in response to this saga.” Mr. Furner added.
The $1 million will be allocated in the following manner:
• $600,000 to restore consumer confidence in strawberries through a targeted campaign
• $250,000 for safeguarding supply chain integrity
• $150,000 for the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association and Growcom to assist growers with the ongoing response and recovery.
Funding from the Palaszczuk Government to the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association and Growcom will begin flowing as early as today so they can continue to support growers through this difficult time. Mr. Furner said the funding would help Queensland growers bounce back from the saga and give them confidence heading into the new season.
“This is consistent with our approach to other agricultural issues we have dealt with in the past,” Mr. Furner commented “When White Spot Disease hit our prawn industry in South-East Queensland, the Palaszczuk Government responded immediately by investing in a highly successful media campaign to get people eating seafood again with Brisbane Broncos legend Sam Thaiday.”
The Palaszczuk Government has also established a ‘Queensland Strawberry Industry Back to Market Working Group’ which met yesterday for the first time. Mr Furner pointed out the working group will be a forum for discussion between the Queensland strawberry industry and the Queensland Government.
“Members of this group will determine the most effective strategy to restore consumer confidence and support the industry getting back to market as soon as possible.” Mr. Furner commented.
“Growcom and the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association would like to thank the Queensland government for their swift response to the issue and in particular for the Minister’s attendance at the grower meeting last week”, Ms Mackenzie, Chief Advocate, Growcom commented.
The value of Queensland strawberries for 2017–18 is forecast to be $160 million. There are approximately 100 strawberry growers in Queensland, with most production around Beerwah, Wamuran, Elimbah, Caboolture, Bundaberg and Granite Belt. Queensland growers produce up to 30,000 tonnes of fruit per season.