Beef Cattle Industry Blueprint

Mr PICTON (Kaurna) (14:54): My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. How is the state government working with the agriculture industry to ensure the sustainable growth of the cattle sector?

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Recreation and Sport, Minister for Racing) (14:55): I thank the member for Kaurna for the question. There is not a lot of livestock in Kaurna. There is a goat down there called Gary (he thinks he's a kangaroo), and the member for Kaurna has been a very good advocate for Gary the goat.

I am delighted to announce today that the state government is investing more money into South Australia's beef industry to create a blueprint for growth. The state's beef industry is vitally important to our economy and for jobs in our regions. Of course, one of our government's top priorities is premium food and wine from our clean environment exported to the world, so to work side by side with all the different sectors in the agriculture industry is something we aim to do. There are 20,000 people involved in the meat and livestock sector and there are hundreds of beef producers in our state.

In 2015-16, South Australia processed 425,000 head of cattle, with a wholesale value to the state of $949 million. Of this, $568 million in value was directly exported. Development of a South Australian beef industry blueprint is important for improving collaboration across the sector, driving growth and increased value and maintaining our international competitiveness. The blueprint will also provide a platform for South Australia to improve access to national research, development and extension funding through national industry bodies, such as Meat and Livestock Australia, as well as the Australian government's Rural R&D for Profit program.

The blueprint is an initiative of beef producers through Livestock SA and the Davies Research Centre at the University of Adelaide, and I congratulate the university on kickstarting this process. The state government's investment of $100,000 cash and an additional $40,000 in-kind through Primary Industries and Regions SA provide a platform for further support, collaboration and engagement from industry stakeholders in the development and rollout of the blueprint, including Livestock SA, the Davies Centre and Meat and Livestock Australia.

The South Australian beef industry has active producer groups and regional initiatives, including the Limestone Coast Red Meat Cluster and the Fleurieu Beef Group. Stakeholders across South Australia are involved in some great research and development projects focused on increasing productivity and product quality, with benefits accruing throughout the value chain. These activities are a terrific foundation for developing the beef industry blueprint. The South Australian beef industry blueprint will align with the government's economic priorities, and it will also allow PIRSA to continue to work side by side with the industry to gain further insight into the beef sector, working in close collaboration to develop and implement the plan.

The beef industry identified the need to develop a map for the industry's growth strategy following the successful development of the Sheep Industry Blueprint. I know there are many members here who know of the great work that the industry has been able to do with some assistance from government. The ideas come from industry, and a little bit of funding from government can help them on their way. In June 2015, the state government provided support to the sheep industry through Livestock SA for the development of that Sheep Industry Blueprint. It was launched in April 2016. The Sheep Industry Blueprint is a strategy for sustainable growth of the South Australian sheep industry, with a commitment across the whole value chain to pursue actions and achieve targets.

The blueprint has been hugely successful, driving growth and a range of projects to benefit the sheep industry. It has been fantastic to see the University of Adelaide, the sheep and wool processors and the production industry supported by Australian Wool Innovation, Meat and Livestock Australia and other national industry bodies who are investing heavily following the development of the South Australian Sheep Industry Blueprint. We anticipate that the beef industry blueprint will provide similar support for the beef industry.