Victorian Farmers Federation has welcomed a $66.6-million Federal Government boost to help protect Australia’s pork industry from African Swine Fever.

VFF Pig Group president Tim Kingma said it was vital to protect the country’s pork industry.

“Consumers need to have confidence they are purchasing safe Australian products for their meals this festive season,” he said.

Mr Kingma said African Swine Fever would decimate the $5.2-billion pork industry if it entered Australia.

“All efforts must be made to keep African Swine Fever out of Australia as there is no vaccine or cure for the disease,” he said.

“Biosecurity is critical to the success of all industries within Australian agriculture.

“The increase in funding and resources will assist in the protection of our fresh-cut flower industry, meat industries and horticulture industry.”

VFF president David Jochinke said the advancement of a biosecurity levy announced in May 2018 was another step towards protecting Australia’s agriculture industry.

“As Australia moves towards being a $100-billion industry, the job of maintaining strong biosecurity across the country is going to be an ever-growing responsibility,” he said.

The entire December 18, 2019 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire December 18,, 2019 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!