$15m funding available for small exporters

The government has followed through on its election promise to dedicate an additional $15 million in funding over the next four years to help small exporters deal with the cost of export fees and charges.

Small exporters in the meat, dairy, fish, horticulture and grain industries may be eligible for a rebate, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said. Available in 2014-15, the rebate will cover 50% of export registration charges up to a maximum of $5000.

For the remainder of 2014-15, the export sectors will work with the Department of Agriculture to review the export certification fees and charges through existing government-industry consultative committees. These committees will need to report about the sustainability and equity of fees and charges, and recommend a new fees schedule to begin 2015 - a fee schedule that everyone can agree on and that doesn’t disproportionately discriminate against new or small exporters.

Minister Joyce says he expects the industry committees to recommend projects that will help improve market access for small exporters in their field.

“For example, the export meat sector may wish to fund research into new product treatments that are less costly in enabling their product to meet importing country requirements,” he said.

“I’m looking for projects that will support small exporters and help them remain competitive and profitable in the international marketplace. Australia’s produce is world class and we need to support our small exporters and assist them through the export process.”