Fiji-Australia bilateral quarantine meeting crucial in strengthening agricultural trade - Col Smith
Ministry of Agriculture permanent secretary Colonel Mason Smith described the Fiji-Australia Bilateral Quarantine meeting held this week at the Novotel as crucial and one that will help Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) and Biosecurity Australia (BA) address quarantine issues that impede agricultural trade.
The Fiji-Australia Bilateral Quarantine meeting was between senior representatives from BAF, Department of Agriculture, Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Program and Biosecurity Australia and was first of its kind to be held in six years.
The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen cooperation in the area of biosecurity between Fiji and Australia and to develop trade between the countries.
“Today’s meeting is crucial given the importance of biosecutity in facilitating agricultural trade between countries. Fiji regards Australia as a primary market for our agricultural produce and I am optimistic that with bilateral quarantine meetings like the one we are having today, more of Fiji’s agricultural products can gain and maintain access to markets in Australia,’’ Colonel Smith said.
A number of biosecurity issues of concern to both Fiji and Australia were discussed at the meeting- some of which included Fiji’s taro export to Australia, update on Fiji’s request for market access for export of fresh ginger into Australia and revision of the Fiji export policy for papaya to Australia.
According to Colonel Smith, Government wanted to see an amicable resolution for Fiji’s taro exports to Australia as taro is the second largest horticultural industry in Fiji, behind sugar.
“The value of fresh taro exports to Australia and New Zealand is significant amounting to approximately $20 million a year. However, the profitability and viability of this trade is at risk due to increased quarantine interceptions,” he said.
“Stabilizing and improving this trade is a key priority for the Fijian Government and the industry.”
Colonel Smith also said that Fiji was looking forward to the opening of the Australian market for our local ginger adding that discussions at the bilateral meeting progressed discussions regarding Fiji’s request to have access to the Australian market for this commodity.
“Fiji’s ginger is renowned for its unique flavour and has the potential to become one of the country’s leading agricultural exports. Credit for the production of high quality ginger must no doubt go to the skills and resilience shown by our farmers and extension staff.”
PHAMA’s efforts in helping developing countries like Fiji address market access issues was also acknowledged by Colonel Smith, who said PHAMA will provide a mechanism to support and expand market opportunities for horticultural and other agricultural commodities and Fiji is fortunate to be part of such a programme.
No comments:
Post a Comment