Premier of Victoria

Agriculture

The Coalition Government will bring about a new era in Victorian agriculture, where farming enterprises have the full support of government and the future is a bright one for young people looking to work on the land. We will work hard to promote the success of Victoria’s food producers because all Victorians benefit from a prosperous farming sector that provides quality local produce and generates direct and indirect jobs.

We will support the next generation of food producers by providing them with the advice and assistance they need, including stamp duty assistance for the purchase of their first farm. This will give young men and women an incentive to build a future in agriculture in Victoria.

We will help food producers in Victoria and alleviate bottle-necks that reduce their ability to get their products to market. We will assist primary producers by eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic interference and red tape, and we will ensure the Department of Primary Industries is recognised as a major government department.

Achievements and policies implemented

• Reintroduced the Fox and Wild Dog bounty, paying $10 for shot foxes and $50 for wild dogs to help protect Victorian native wildlife as well as reduce the number of attacks on farm animals
  
  
• Made dramatic improvements to animal welfare rules including:
  
  
  • legislative changes to help close down illegal puppy farms with increased fines and potential confiscation of assets and profits from illegal puppy farms
    
    
  • a reformed Code of Practice for Pounds and Shelters to remove the 28-day rule so there is no longer a requirement to euthanase unclaimed dogs and cats after 28 days. The revised code also recognises the role of volunteer foster carers assisting shelters and pounds to improve re-homing rates
    
    
  • greater powers to the RSCPA to enter and inspect puppy farm premises
    
    
  • a $1.6 million Animal Welfare Fund
    
    
• Cracked down on dangerous dogs – increased penalties, including possible jail time, for irresponsible owners of dangerous, menacing and restricted breed dogs that attack people
  
  
• Passed new legislation introducing a Farm Debt Mediation Scheme, which will take effect from 1 December 2011
  
  
• Supported our young farmers with stamp duty cuts and business planning support to get them going on their first farm, as well as support for a rural youth organisation that will provide opportunities for networking, mentoring and skill development
  
  
• Appointed a new chairman and directors to the VicForests board who have industry experience to help drive the future of the native forest timber industry which supports 11,000 jobs in Victoria
  
  
• Funded record native fish stockings – with more than 2 million stocked and a further $16.2 million allocated to improve opportunities for recreational fishers
  
  
• Established a Centre for Expertise ($4 million) in wine grape smoke taint research in Mildura
  
  
• Provided a $2.3 million investment in Hamilton DPI to develop lamb research
  
  
• Provided $2 million to develop the Farmers' Market Support Program
  
  
• Rescued forestry jobs in Gippsland East by providing $1.27 million for rehabilitation and silvicultural work
  
  
• Made important changes to the management of wild dogs – including reforming wild dog committees, extending 72-hour trap exemption and planning for aerial baiting in autumn

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