LAMBEX CONFERENCE

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:05): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question about agriculture.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: South Australian agriculture is one of the strengths of our economy. While it is a diverse picture, as far as livestock is concerned sheep remain the most widespread farm animals raised in South Australia. Can the minister provide details on the successful bid by South Australia to host the 2014 Lambex conference, which focuses on lamb production?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. Sheep, both as producers of wool and meat, obviously are a very important part of South Australia's primary industries, and sheep-derived products make a very significant contribution to our South Australian economy. In 2011, about 10 million sheep in South Australia produced almost 60,000 tonnes of wool and lamb and mutton products, with a gross revenue value of more than $1 billion. South Australia has about 14 per cent of the national sheep flock. South Australia contributes approximately 15 per cent of national wool production, with recent figures indicating that more than 47 million kilograms of wool and skins are produced annually to a value of $250 million.

With this in mind, we are very pleased to announce today that South Australia was successful in winning the right to host Lambex 2014. This biennial event will be held at the Royal Adelaide Showground's Ridley and Wayville pavilions from 9 to 11 July 2014. This event consists of a two-day conference program, a significant trade show, and a gala lamb dinner, and provides an opportunity to bring producers, processors, exporters, service providers and food service professionals together in one venue.

It is expected that up to 600 delegates from all parts of Australia and overseas will attend, and, although planning for this event is obviously in the early stages, the intent is that the trade show will highlight the product and services of more than 50 businesses supporting the sheep industry. Between 20 and 40 speakers from Australia and overseas will provide cutting-edge information, addressing issues facing the sheep, meat and wool industries, and this event will showcase nationally and internationally South Australia's sheep industry and the services supporting and including SARDI, which has been involved in research and development initiatives as part of the Sheep CRC and the new School of Veterinary Science at the University of Adelaide (Roseworthy).

Oversight of the Lambex 2014 event is the responsibility of a 15-person organising committee, and includes representatives from the Royal Agriculture and Horticulture Society of SA, stud and commercial producers from wool and meat sheep sectors, rural media, SA sheep meat producers, Meat & Livestock Australia, Rural Solutions SA and the SA Sheep Advisory Group.

The chair of the committee is Allan Piggott from Illoura, and there is no doubt that the event would not be possible without the strong support and involvement of local producers. There is strong support for Lambex 2014 from the state's industry, reflected by the fact that they initiated the bid to attract Lambex to Adelaide, and have agreed to underwrite the event using their sheep industry fund, about which we are very pleased.

The SA Sheep Advisory Group, which provides me with advice on the SA Sheep Industry Fund, amongst other industry matters, has been a big supporter of the benefits of the Lambex event to industry. In 2012 the SASAG provided $5,000 in financial assistance so the group of young producers and industry leaders could travel to the 2012 Lambex conference held in Bendigo, Victoria. Inspired by what they experienced and keen to showcase South Australia's sheep industry, a collection of these producers took it upon themselves to organise a bid for the 2014 event, and I congratulate them for their efforts and look forward to the event.