$2.5 million support package for Victorian wine industry

The Andrews Labour Government has prepared a $2.5 million package to help Victorian wine growers and producers impacted by bushfires, with Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes visiting King Valley to endorse the package. The support package includes $1.2 million for potential smoke exposure testing for growers, which will provide a rebate to help growers get smoke exposure tests from specialist labs. The rebate will be capped at $1200 per grower and will be available state-wide. The package will also provide $1 million for grants to growers whose grapes have been affected by smoke and $300,000 to research reliable predictive tests to determine the quality of grapes impacted by smoke.

“We’re actively working with the wine industry to identify options and support the sector in managing the impact of the fires. Our wine industry is vibrant, diverse and a vital part of our economy — that’s why we’re ensuring the industry has access to the support and advice it needs to be best placed for this year’s vintage,” said Jaclyn Symes, Minister for Agriculture.

The Labor government is also providing assistance to wine growers and producers for the collection and transport of grape samples to laboratories for testing. The support package builds on the government’s investment in Victoria’s wine industry, through the Wine Industry Development Strategy.

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