Aust defends stance in PNG agri

 By GYNNIE KERO

AUSTRALIA has been a long-term supporter of agricultural research in Papua New Guinea to help improve food supply, food access and rural incomes for small holders, according to the Australian High Commission.

The AHC said this in a statement following comments by Trade, Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Maru regarding Australia’s quarantine policies and its role in the PNG beef industry.

Maru said during the Fiji-PNG Trade Mission in Port Moresby last week that “Australia has done nothing to help us to raise beef here because it is not in their national interest”.

He added that Australia’s quarantine was too strict on PNG produce.

The minister also invited Fiji businesses to take the place of Australian industries that have not developed local partners.

The AHC said: “The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has worked with PNG such as the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and PNG’s University of Technology (Unitech) since 1983. 

“In line with priorities identified by the PNG Government, including NARI, recent agricultural animal husbandry and livestock research has focused on chickens, pigs, sheep and goats. 

 “With NARI, DAL, the Livestock Development Corporation and other partners, ACIAR is currently developing a research program on smallholder livestock services that might include a small cattle component.

The AHC added that there were no current agreed health conditions for the import of live cattle to PNG.  

“PNG does, however, import cattle semen (a more cost effective method of herd improvement) from Australia on commercial terms. PNG has not formally sought market access for beef and its products to Australia.”

The AHC said Australia’s agricultural trade policies help people and goods move in and out of Australia while managing the risks to the environment and to animal, plant and human health. 

These policies include bio-security risk analyses to manage risks. 

“Australia and PNG collaborate to identify and evaluate threats (to both countries) from emerging diseases, pests and weeds, and to develop responses and sustainable management strategies where appropriate.