{"id":16787,"date":"2012-11-19T15:03:48","date_gmt":"2012-11-19T05:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=16787"},"modified":"2024-03-04T15:43:44","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T05:43:44","slug":"have-your-say-on-agriculture-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2012\/11\/19\/have-your-say-on-agriculture-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Have Your Say On Agriculture Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"John<\/a>
Queensland Agriculture Minister
John McVeigh<\/figcaption><\/figure>November 19, 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n

Agriculture Minister John McVeigh is encouraging Queensland agri-businesses and communities to have their say on the State\u2019s future plan for agriculture.<\/p>\n

Mr McVeigh said consultation on “Queensland\u2019s Agriculture Strategy: A 2040 vision to double the value of production” was now open.<\/p>\n

The consultation paper – and more information – is available online.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Submissions close at 5:00pm on December 7, 2012.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Newman Government is committed to working with agri-businesses and the community to grow agriculture as one of the four pillars of the Queensland economy,\u201d Mr McVeigh said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis consultation process is the first step in working with the agriculture sector to develop a strategy to ensure it is efficient, innovative, and profitable in the long term.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr McVeigh said Queensland\u2019s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries were estimated to have a production value of $14.7 billion (2011-12), employ over 90,000 people, and generate export earnings of over $5.4 billion.<\/p>\n

\u201cQueensland\u2019s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries face significant challenges going forward,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must consider global economic uncertainties, a high Australian dollar and increasing production costs, as well as competition for resources, biosecurity risks and seasonal variability.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, opportunities exist for significant growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe global population is expected to increase from 7 billion to almost 9 billion by 2040, characterised by the increasingly affluent and growing global middle class, particularly in Asia.<\/p>\n

\u201cQueensland is strategically placed to supply growing demand from our neighbouring countries, and contribute to global food security as a significant food bowl for Asia.\u201d<\/p>\n