World Potato Congress

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:01): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister update the council about the recent World Potato Congress held in Adelaide?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! It's your own side. Let the minister have some clear air here.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for his question. I also noticed from some of the comments that members of the chamber had heard about this congress, so I am very glad that they have. It had quite a lot of coverage in our local and national media because it was a significant international event.

It has been quite an exciting few days at the Adelaide Convention Centre for the horticulture industry as South Australia has played host to the World Potato Congress. It was held from 23 to 26 June and had over 1,000 attendees from over 40 countries, including Poland, Peru, Canada, Chile, China, Kenya, United States of America, Belgium and New Zealand, among others. This was the first time that either South Australia or, indeed, Australia—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —had ever hosted this event. I might just repeat that, Mr President: it was the first time Australia had ever hosted this event. Not only is that good for the horticulture industry, it's also good news for our state's tourism industry, with a large contingent of overseas and interstate visitors staying in city hotels and spending their money in local restaurants and shops.

South Australia is the largest producer of fresh washed potatoes in Australia, producing 545,000 tonnes last year, which equates to 80 per cent of the national production figure, so it is fitting that it was our state that held this conference. Indeed, there are over 80 farm businesses across the state growing potatoes, with an annual revenue of over $245 million at the farm gate. We have seen the success result in the expansion of large developments in the Murray Mallee and Riverland that are now potato production powerhouses, and indeed there have been significant increases to manufacturing and processing here in Australia over a number of years.

Australian-loved Smith's Snackfood built a new crisping plant at Regency Park and a French-fry freezing plant at Penola started this revolution back in the 1980s and it has grown nationally. Our national leadership in fresh potatoes has continued with business investment in sorting and packing technology. South Australia has been able to capitalise on the use of research and development, centre-pivot irrigators, large machinery and logger rotations to manage soil-borne diseases, improve yields and perfect quality over the years.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) have been major contributors to this growth over time and continue to play a significant role in assisting growers and providing support to industry. I understand a suite of international delegations have visited SARDI over the last week while here for the conference to view the significant and impressive work being undertaken there.

This year's congress chose the theme 'Old World Meets New' and focused on the rich historical legacy of potatoes as a food staple, the cutting-edge innovation and technology applied to their production and substantial investment in research and development. The conference also focused on addressing global changes in sustainability, climate, culture and population dynamics.

An additional interesting part of the congress was its focus on addressing food insecurity through the expansion and increasing yield of potatoes. It is currently the third most grown crop in the world and has the opportunity to significantly address hunger through increasing yield for smaller or equivalent growing areas.

I thank Dr Nigel Crump, interim chair of Potatoes Australia, and Ms Robbie Davis, congress ambassador, for hosting me at various events this week, including the welcome drinks, the official opening and the congress dinner. I think all members would agree that it wouldn't matter if you are a carnivore in terms of your diet, or a vegan, potatoes play a key role in our diets, and it was wonderful to have the global potato industry here in South Australia this week to discuss both the challenges and the opportunities for this critically important industry.