Citrus Australia highlighted its increased focus on improving biosecurity measures and market access conditions at it annual general meeting in Brisbane late last week.
The peak industry body’s, chair Tania Chapman, said her team had worked hard to prevent the outbreak of new incursions, recruiting a dedicated biosecurity manager and continuing grower training and surveillance work.
“These threats can take many forms, including the Queensland fruit fly which is a constant focus for our industry and the biggest cost to getting product to market,” she explained.
Chapman also outlined Citrus Australia’s ‘ground-breaking’MoU with The China Agricultural Wholesale Association. She said it would provide the Australian growers and exporters with a highly-influential partner in on of the industry’s core markets.
“During the year, growers set their sights on taking advantage of positive conditions in the Chinese market with a record number registering their blocks,” she said. “Premium returns in this market were constant throughout the season and further validated the hard work from growers to improve the quality of their fruit.”
Citrus Australia CEO Judith Damiani echoed Chapman’s comments, suggesting the industry body would continue to strengthen international relationships over the next 12 months.
“The Citrus Australia team worked closely with the Australian Government on ensuring citrus tariffs were eliminated in any free trade deals,” Damiani explained. “It was an honour to travel with the Prime Minister on his April 2014 North Asian trade visit.
“The last minute trade agreement with Japan was a historical moment for the industry and one I will remember for the rest of my life. The benefits it will provide our industry is massive – the gradual elimination in tariffs a major win for growers in citrus’ biggest export market.”
