Agriculture is one of Tasmania’s greatest competitive strengths and it has a strong future despite recent market volatilities.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to working with the dairy and poppy industries, as they face the latest challenges driven by changes in price and demand respectively.
Farmers in all sectors are at the whim of the weather and the global markets, yet for generations they have prospered in Tasmania.
I have every confidence this will continue to be the case for our resilient farmers and their families who have forged our world leading dairy and poppy sectors.
I have today had initial discussions with the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, Dairy Tasmania and Poppy Growers Tasmania to better understand the implications.
I will continue to work with farmers and their industry representatives to ensure they withstand these latest challenges and continue to prosper into the future.
The fundamentals of Tasmania’s dairy industry are very strong. It is a productive, highly regarded and in demand sector. This was reflected in the recent sale of VDL to Moon Lake. Following two years of reasonably strong farm gate prices, this reduction sees prices closer to 2013 levels.
Tasmania’s poppy industry is also on a sustainable footing, and is expected to continue to supply more than half of the world’s pharmaceutical supply.
This is a setback and will be a challenge, but I am committed to working with farmers and the industries. I am confident Tasmania’s dairy and poppy industries will have a strong future.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water