Drought is an enduring feature of the Australian landscape. It has significant economic, social and environmental impacts.
The $5 billion Future Drought Fund provides secure, continuous funding for drought resilience initiatives. It will help Australian farms and communities prepare for the impacts of drought.
The Australian Government this week announced its first round of spending from its $5 billion Future Drought Fund. The Fund makes $100 million available each year to assist farmers and communities build resilience and prepare for drought. The first round of the Fund, totalling $89.5 million, consists of eight programs aimed at helping farmers better manage and prepare for drought.
Visit the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website for more information...
Australia's free trade agreement with Indonesia to provide export boost
The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) came into force on July 5. Two-way trade is already worth A$17.8 billion and Indonesia is expected to become the world’s fifth-largest economy by 2030, creating exciting opportunities for Australian businesses. Read more of this Media Release here...
EMDG: Applications for 2020 grant year are now open!
In response to COVID-19, the Government has made a number of updates to the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme, which include waiving the export performance test. In the 2019–20 grant year a total of 4,015 recipients received a combined total of $192.2 million. For more information and to apply, visit the Australian Trade and Investment Commission website....
Austrade invites you to complete a short survey to help improve digital services...
Ausatrade are creating new digital services to help more Australian businesses grow through exporting, diversify into new markets and manage their risk throughout the export journey. These services will give you access to Austrade insights and know-how anywhere, anytime. This survey, which will take around 2 minutes to complete, will help us design a better experience for exporters like you. Click here to to participate in this short survey...
Australian Trusted Trader program Survey
The Australian Border Force has contracted EY to undertake research into potential benefits for exporters that could be offered through the Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) program. The online survey is open to any business or individual with views on exporting - you don't need to be a Trusted Trader. Trusted Trader exporters currently receive priority processing with eight overseas customs authorities – but they want to know what else they could be doing to help you with your exporting process. Click here to participate in this 15min survey...
The ACCC has produced a new quad bike safety standard fact sheet to answer questions we've received in relation to the quad bike safety standard.
This is in response to concerns that some quad bike manufacturers have indicated they will cease supply of utility quad bikes to Australia once the quad bike safety standard becomes mandatory, and the effects this will have on future quad bike supply.
For more information about quad bike safety, visit the Product Safety Australia website.
Download the new Quadbike safety standard fact sheet here...
At the moment, volumes are low and there's a high demand in the cherry market. The supply has been reduced mostly around the Mediterranean due to unfavorable weather conditions. Other areas, such as Greece and Turkey, are taking advantage of this. Dutch and Belgian cherries are also being sold for high prices, but those are mainly intended for the domestic market. Read more of this Fresh Plaza article here...
It was announced that last week, that the Australian Government committed an additional $241.9 million to continue the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM), helping keep international freight routes and flights operating until the end of the year.
Even though the IFAM is being extended, it’s important to remember it is a temporary, emergency measure in response to an extraordinary situation.
The extension will give Australian businesses more time to re-engineer their business models and adjust to a new and tougher trading environment created by COVID-19.
Qantas Freight remove change fees
From 07 July 2020, Qantas Freight will be providing greater flexibility with confirmed bookings. Qantas Freight is removing the fees for changes made to confirmed bookings within 48 hours of scheduled departure. Cancellation or no-shows will continue to attract fees, so please make sure any cancellations are made at least 48 hours before departure.
Register your interest
Exporters should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and keep in regular contact with freight forwarders to access IFAM supported flights. Further information on how IFAM works is available on the IFAM webpage.
and return it to: VCA Secretary, PO Box 612, Mooroopna, 3629
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