A discussion paper focused on growing South Australia's $14.8 billion food, wine and agribusiness sector as part of the Marshall Liberal Government's 'Growth State' initiative is now open for consultation.
'Growth State' is the State Government's work plan to achieve three per cent overall growth each year in South Australia and is being applied initially to those sectors having the strongest prospects for increased trade and investment.
Sector plans have already been released for both tourism and international education and consultation is now open for the food, wine and agribusiness industries for their sector plan.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said the Marshall Liberal Government wants to promote industry growth by responding to industry needs and leveraging South Australia's competitive advantages.
"Our primary industries are key pillars of South Australia's economy, and they are an essential part of the State Government's 'Growth State' initiative, which aims to achieve three per cent overall growth each year in South Australia," said Minister Whetstone.
"We want to hear from industry about opportunities to accelerate their growth, and it is important our food, beverage and agribusiness industries have input to help shape future policy.
"Feedback will inform the development of an industry-owned 'Sector Plan for Food, Wine and Agribusiness'.
"Last year food, wine and agribusiness generated $14.8 billion in revenue, directly contributed over $8 billion to our Gross State Product, and produced well over half the state's merchandise exports."
The Marshall Liberal Government has consulted with peak industry bodies Primary Producers SA, Food South Australia and the South Australian Wine Industry Association in developing the 'Food, Wine and Agribusiness Discussion Paper', which sets the scene for the sector as a whole and its contribution to the South Australian economy.
The discussion paper covers food and beverage, field crops, meat and livestock, wine, seafood, horticulture and forestry sectors, and the current growth statistics and measures for each industry.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment David Ridgway said the 'Growth State' initiative is a crucial part of the Marshall Liberal Government's plan to boost the South Australian economy.
"I urge everyone in these sectors to read the discussion paper and provide their feedback - it is essential the final 'Sector Plan for Food, Wine and Agribusiness' has industry's voice behind it," said Minister Ridgway.
"The Marshall Government is already taking steps to strengthen the food, wine and agribusiness economy by cutting Emergency Service Levy bills and abolishing payroll tax for small business, dredging the Flinders Ports shipping channel, proposing to lift the moratorium on genetically modified food crops and investing in a $7.5 million Red Meat and Wool strategy."
Meetings to seek input into growing South Australia's food, wine and agribusiness sectors will be held in Barossa Valley, Bordertown, Clare, Kangaroo Island, Langhorne Creek, Loxton, McLaren Vale, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Orroroo, Port Lincoln, Wudinna, Yorke Peninsula and Adelaide.
Feedback - via public meeting, online survey, email or written response - is open until Friday 25 October 2019.
