VEGE GROWERS IGNORED WHILE COPENHAGEN OVER STAFFED

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It was revealed in Senate Estimates Committees today that whilst a record 114 Australian officials attended the failed Copenhagen conference on Climate Change, not one Australian Government representative could make it to the Berlin Conference on the fruit and vegetable industry seven weeks later.

Queensland Senator Ian Macdonald told the Senate that the Fruit Logisitica Trade Fair in Berlin which ran from the 3rd to the 5th of February, involved 120 countries most of which were represented by key decision makers, international leaders in agri-buisiness, supply chain representatives and government officials.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade were invited to the trade fair but showed little interest in what is a crucial event for the fruit and vegetable industry in Australia,” said Senator Macdonald.

“I am told Australian Government trade representatives are actually based in Berlin but could not wander down the road to support Australian vegetable growers at the conference.

“At a time when the when the Federal Government is rushing through the new Horticulture Industry Award making it increasingly difficult for growers to compete with countries such as China and New Zealand, they are very slow to support the industry in this key trade event.

“I think it is appalling that whilst the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spends millions of dollars following Mr Rudd in his ‘round-the-world’ jaunts, they cant find enough money to send even one official to support the Australian contingent to a conference that will have far more positive benefits for Australia than any climate change conference ever would,” Senator Macdonald said.

The Department undertook to get back to the Estimates Committee with the reasons for its lack of support.
 
END

11 February 2010

Media contact Gordon Terry      (07) 4771 3066   or   0427 960 255                                           

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