SENATOR TO VISIT AUSTRALIAN FIRST COCOA PLANTATION

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North Queensland based Senator, Ian Macdonald, will today (23 July) visit the Mossman Cocoa Mill, where research and development company Horizon Science is growing the first ever commercial cocoa crops in Australia.

Senator Macdonald said that Horizon Science currently produces organic chocolate and chocolate, and has been importing one tonne of dried cocoa bean per week to produce their products. They hope this project will reduce the need to import ingredients.

“This is a fantastic project, and is another example of how Northern Australia is the future of our great country,” Senator Macdonald said.

“Far North Queensland has been found by the Department of Primary Industries to have the ideal environment for growing cocoa, and believe that with Australian technology, we can grow three to four times the crop grown in developing countries.”

“Not only will this project create jobs for locals, but it will also diversify the local agriculture sector, and replace the import of foreign ingredients. It is a win-win situation, not just for the local economy, but for the whole of Australia.

“An increase in the different types of agriculture in Far North Queensland reduces the likelihood of an entire economy being wiped out by a drop in the world price or a disease outbreak in a particular crop” Senator Macdonald said.

Horizon Science plans to inject $12 million into the Mossman area over the next 18 months, including recruiting other growers in the region to supply them with cocoa pods.

“This is another example of the “can do” attitude of Far North Queensland and I am greatly looking forward to seeing Horizon Science’s operations and maybe tasting some of their wares” Senator Macdonald said.

Further information can be found at www.cocoaaustralia.com.au

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