Nuts - Australia

The nut industry is showing strong growth in Australia and Australian consumers are becoming much more aware of the health advantages of including nuts in the diet. This page focuses on the role of the Australian Government in the nut industry. See Australian Nut Industry for the broader role of the Australian nut industry. Government Role The role of the Australian Government in relation to the nut industry incorporates the big picture issues involving the development and promotion of the industry to make it internationally competitive, profitable and sustainable. To assist in this objective the government: Facilitates exporting by removing impediments to export market access and enabling Australian horticultural produce to have improved access to current and new markets Assists with industry and market development projects and programs Funds innovation and research Prevents of the incursion of exotic diseases Government Departments and Agencies Assisting the Australian Nut Industry: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry State and Territory Agriculture/Primary Industry Departments Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

The nut industry is showing strong growth in Australia and Australian consumers are becoming much more aware of the health advantages of including nuts in the diet.

This page focuses on the role of the Australian Government in the nut industry. See Australian Nut Industry for the broader role of the Australian nut industry.

Government Role
The role of the Australian Government in relation to the nut industry incorporates the big picture issues involving the development and promotion of the industry to make it internationally competitive, profitable and sustainable. To assist in this objective the government:

Facilitates exporting by removing impediments to export market access and enabling Australian horticultural produce to have improved access to current and new markets
Assists with industry and market development projects and programs
Funds innovation and research
Prevents of the incursion of exotic diseases

Government Departments and Agencies Assisting the Australian Nut Industry:

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
State and Territory Agriculture/Primary Industry Departments
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

Photo: Nuts

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The objective of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in relation to horticulture, including tree nuts, is to assist and facilitate the growth and development of a self-reliant, competitive and innovative Australian horticultural industry in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. Strategies to achieve this include:

Development of internationally competitive horticultural supply chains
Removal of impediments to export market access, and facilitation of exports
Support for industry ownership of key services
Assistance with market development projects and programs to increase consumption of horticulture products, and
Encouraging innovation along the value chain.

To be competitive the horticulture industry needs efficient production techniques, sustainable natural resource management, the development of supply and marketing alliances, high quality products and marketing to meet market trends and consumer preferences. For more information see the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Horticulture) website.

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The States and Territories (respective "Primary industry/Agriculture Departments")

Australia - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
New South Wales - Department of Primary Industries
Northern Territory - Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources
Queensland - Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
South Australia - Primary Industries and Resources
Tasmania - Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
Victoria - Department of Primary Industries
Western Australia - Department of Agriculture and Food

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Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
The CSIRO is Australia's national science agency and is one of the largest and most diverse scientific institutions in the world with 56 sites throughout Australia and overseas. CSIRO works with Australia's fruit, vegetable and nut industries to develop new and improved varieties for Australian conditions and to research management techniques to ensure produce remains in premium condition.

Gene technology is used to research horticultural plant functions, particularly flowering and fruit development, genes that affect quality and genes that are involved in responses to water stress.

CSIRO is helping the macadamia industry by breeding better varieties of macadamia trees, investigating and conserving the genetic diversity of wild macadamias and looking at different rootstocks. For more information see Macadamias - CSIRO . There is currently no research activity being undertaken by CSIRO into other Australian nut industries.

For more information on CSIRO see the About CSIRO web page.

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Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)
RIRDC is a statutory authority established by the Australian Government to work with industry to invest in research and development for a more profitable, sustainable and dynamic rural sector. Specifically, RIRDC’s mandate from government is to achieve results from research and development investments in new rural industries, specific established rural industries and national rural issues.

RIRDC Corporate Plan 2007–2012 (RIRDC site)
Cashew nut publications (RIRDC site)

For more information see the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation website.

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