Queensland Aquaculture Industries Federation (Inc)World Best AquacultureAquaculture Association of Queensland, Australian Barramundi Farmers Association, Australian Prawn Farmers’ Association, Australian Tropical Abalone, Coral Coast Mariculture, OceanXplorer, Queensland Crayfish Farmers Association, Queensland Oyster Growers Association, Queensland Pearl Industry, Queensland Sea Scallop Ltd, South Pacific Seaweeds, Watermark Seafoods.
Report of the President 2010-2011
1.0 The Year in Overview This has been a year of great trial for the aquaculture industry in Queensland. Cyclone Yasi ripped through far north Queensland causing a huge amount of damage. Stock losses, equipment damage, and financial losses through not getting produce to market all took their toll on prawn and barramundi farms. Especially devastating was the total destruction at Blue Water, the only sea-cage farm in Queensland. Extreme rainfall across the rest of the State also caused problems and damage to the economy and to many farms. We have previously written to the government advising of the need for north Queensland to have in place road and rail infrastructure able to withstand severe weather events. I know this was not just severe, it was extreme. But, we are regularly experiencing logistical disruptions that are limiting regional economies.
We have also taken some backward steps in policy areas, particularly with our Country of Origin Labelling campaign. This is reported below.
Nevertheless, the industry in Queensland remains robust and production continues to grow, albeit without much expansion in the number of producers or size of farms. Our membership base in QAIF also remains stable.
2.0 Ministerial Arrangements for Aquaculture The change of Ministerial responsibilities which moved apparent responsibility for our industry from Primary industry to Transport is not exactly clear. We are yet to meet the new Minister, but so far seem to be managing relations with government with the support of the DEEDI officials.
However, this stresses the importance of QAIF maintaining strong relationships with government. If we are not around we are forgotten. The Farming the Sea promotion at Parliament House is a vital part of this job.
3.0 Cyclone Recovery Government recognised that the impact of the cyclone was serious to industry and local economies and has funded a number of positions for recovery officers to be based in various industries. Aquaculture has been fortunate to the services of Wil Conn, a former barramundi producer to work with our sector on recovery issues.
4.0 DEEDI R&D Forum The Department has an enormous research capability. It is pleasing to see them work with industry to identify the priorities. An industry government workshop in Townsville attended by many of our producers especially focussed on water quality issues. 5.0 Towards an Aquaculture Act This association has been a strong advocate for Queensland to develop a separate aquaculture development act. We are listened to, but not really heeded. The present placement of this industry away from primary industries and the lack of strong development in this State compared to others is a continuing pointer to the continuing need for this. On the positive side, Cabinet has approved an aquaculture development policy and the State/Commonwealth agreement on the Sandy Straits may prove to be a model for how development can occur. 6.0 Coastal Management Coastal management regulation impacts especially on our marine sectors, but also on most land based industry needing access to the littoral zone. This vital policy area has been looked after by Clive Keenan. It is pleasing to see at last agreements between the State and the Commonwealth that will underpin future development in the Great Sandy Straits. Aquaculture is a now of right industry which is a very satisfactory outcome. 7.0 EMS for Barramundi The barramundi sector has been working with the DERM to develop an environmental management system that can be audited and used to defend the sustainability credentials of the industry.
QAIF has supported this initiative and will encourage other member sectors to modify it to meet their own needs once it is complete.
8.0 Country of Origin Campaign COL has been a major ongoing campaign for QAIF and our members. Last year we had assurances from the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for food labelling that this would occur. Now, following the Blewitt report into food labelling, which recommended against our submission, we understand that our request is unlikely to be supported in Queensland. This is unfinished business. We believe there is merit in our arguments, and that consumers will benefit from a requirement that restaurants and food service outlets to identify the source of seafood used. 9.0 Coles and Woolworths Seafood Sustainability The major supermarkets have announced that they will require sustainability certification. Each has backed a different system.
We, or our sectors, will need to address this in 2011-2012.
10.0 Predator Management Plans - Birds QAIF some years ago negotiated a three year permit system. This is proving valuable. An aquaculture producer in NSW reportedly went to gaol for shooting birds. This demonstrates the need for us to use the law exactly and to our advantage.
-Crocodiles We are still trying to engage DERM to develop a better approach to managing crocodiles often found on farms. We are not having much success. It is a policy area we will need to keep working on.
11.0 Work Cover Premiums Members have been questioning the premium costs for worker’s compensation. We will be arranging a dialogue with Workcover Qld.
12.0 OTC Permit NAC used to hold a minor use permit for the use of OTC. Unfortunately they let it lapse. After a lot of effort, we were able to obtain a permit for our members. It has again lapsed and we have applied again. But APVMA is proving very difficult to work with on this issue.
13.0 Climate Change & the Carbon Tax Climate change is big politics. The regulation that is starting to arise from this is significant. But the proposal to introduce carbon taxes is not good news for our industry. It will significantly increase electricity prices, increasing pumping, aeration and refrigeration costs. It looks likely to greatly increase transport costs.
Our competitors in Asia do not face these imposts.
We have written to various ministers regarding our concerns about the seriouscost impacts.
14.0 Meetings of QAIF QAIF has usually been able to meet three times a year with at least on meeting being in the regions. For budget reasons, we may now be meeting twice a year in Brisbane. The Management Committee is expecting to meet one additional time in Brisbane as part of ARG.
15.0 Finance and Support I am delighted at the way we continue to work with officers of DEEDI. The department increased funding during the year and handed over to QAIF responsibility for managing the funding of travel. This has been very positive.
Treasurer Clive Keenan deserves a great deal of thanks for his work managing the finances of QAIF.
16.0 Farming the Sea Promotion QAIF did not hold a farming the sea function this year. Another one will be held in 2011 – 2012. It is a valuable way of making our legislators and regulators aware of the scope of our industry.
17.0 Website Since its establishment, QAIF has had an effective website. This was developed by Bruce Sambell who continues to maintain it. 18.0 Electrical training & OHS Work Book Wil Conn has worked with QAIF to help develop a legal approach to undertaking more electrical work on farm. We have put a lot of work into this, but are still to see a result. The problem lies with the electrical regulators who are not keen to see an expansion on what can be done on farm without the direct supervision of an electrician.
19.0 Training Needs Survey Wil Conn also undertook a training needs survey of industry.
20.0 QAIF Networks NAC QAIF remains a part of NAC. Unfortunately, NAC has lost a great deal of functionality with the loss of a full time CEO and also a fall off in membership. QFF QAIF remains a member of Qld Farmers Federation. This is a valuable network that we should remain engaged with. Seafood Industry Peak Body We were approached by the wild caught sector and seafood traders. We did not support the formation of a single peak body. But I wrote to say we would welcome regular meetings to examine common policy issues. We have not had a response. ARG The Aquaculture Reference Group (ARG) continues, but has not met in the last year. It is a valuable forum, and I will endeavour to continue this in conjunction with a Management Committee.
21.0 Office Bearers The Management Committee Thanks must go to the office bearers of QAIF. They are: President Trevor Anderson Vice President Marty Phillips Treasurer Clive Keenan Director Helen Jenkins Executive Officer Graham Dalton Immediate Past President: Vacant Delegates APFA : Helen Jenkins vacant ABFA: Marty Phillips Michael Lisle AAQ: Bruce Sambell Rob Bartley Australian Tropical Abalone: Brian Russell Coral Coast Mariculture: Clive Keenan OceanXplorer: Jon Day Queensland Crayfish Farmers Association: Colin Valverde Queensland Oyster Growers Association: Jane Clout Queensland Pearl Industry: Serena Drummond Queensland Sea Scallop Ltd: Rob Dean South Pacific Seaweeds : Brian Russell Watermark Seafoods: Angus Cameron
22.0 Financial Reports Financial reports will be attached
Dr Trevor Anderson President
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