Nuts – Australian Government
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The nut industry is showing strong growth in Australia and 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
National Food Plan The Australian Government is developing Australia’s first ever national food plan to help ensure that the government’s policy settings are right for Australia over the short, medium and long-term. The aim of the national food plan is to foster a sustainable, globally competitive, resilient food supply that supports access to nutritious and affordable food. |
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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
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.
The States and Territories (respective “Primary industry/Agriculture Departments”)
- 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
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 other research activity being undertaken by CSIRO into other varieties of nuts grown in Australia.
For more information on CSIRO see the CSIRO web site.
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, The RIRDC 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 2012 – 2017 (RIRDC site)
- Emerging Animal and Plant Industries – Their Value to Australia (2nd Edition – 2009)
For more information see the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation website.