Tasmania’s agricultural sector is the backbone of our economy and our way of life, and the Liberals will always back it.

The policy is headlined by our commitment to develop – in conjunction with TasFarmers and individual landholders – a fair and contemporary compensation framework that recognises the impact projects such as the North West Transmission Development have on landowners.

This will include the development of a Strategic Benefits Payment.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmanian agriculture has never been more important.

“It puts food on our tables, provides thousands of jobs, and supports our rural and regional communities,” the Premier said.

“Our premium produce is the envy of the world, and our farmgate value has grown to $2.34 billion, on target to reach the Liberals’ bold goal of $10 billion by 2050.

“This doesn’t happen by accident, this is a result of strong partnerships with the sector, working with industry to deliver outcomes and to innovate for sustainable growth.”

The Premier said that the Liberals would also stand with farmers in opposing the Federal Labor Government's unfair new Biosecurity Tax.

“The Liberals are the party of lower taxes, and it is unfair of the Federal Government to slug farmers with a new cost to pay for the cost of providing a biosecurity service which they should already be doing,” the Premier said.

“Instead, recognising the importance of biosecurity, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will invest $5 million to help protect and manage risks to the Tasmanian agricultural sector industries.”

Mr Rockliff said to further strengthen the agricultural sector, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will provide $3 million to supercharge the Strategic Industry Partnership Program (SIPP) and provide even more opportunities for peak bodies and agricultural organisations.

“The SIPP recognises the critical role organisations play in supporting agri-food industry sectors and individual producers and agribusinesses.

“It also promotes collaboration and capacity building in the sector.”

Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jo Palmer, said that strengthening animal welfare was a priority of the Liberals.

“We know that farmers care for the well-being of their animals more than anybody, and are angered when instances of animal abuse come to light”, Minister Palmer said.

“A re-elected Liberal majority Government will take action to boost animal welfare by mandating video surveillance in all Tasmanian abattoirs including contemporary and auditable video surveillance systems, and the provision of workforce development and training for processing staff.

“Funding totalling $3.2 million over four years will be provided to the RSPCA to help undertake their important animal welfare work, including for an additional RSPCA inspectorate and to enable the RSPCA to effectively carry out its vital work safeguarding animal welfare and providing advice to government on animal welfare matters.”

Minister Palmer said that a re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government would also provide $1.5 million for the Midland Agricultural Association to establish Tasmania’s first “wool school”, a handling and shearing innovation centre at the Campbell Town Showgrounds.

Additional funding of $200,000 will also be provided to enable the industry to deliver more advanced shearer training.

“The new facility will allow for a centralised education, training and competition facility at Campbell Town and provide a much-needed jobs pathway for the Tasmanian wool industry, which is experiencing critical skills shortages,” Minister Palmer said.

Other measures in the Liberals’ comprehensive agriculture policy include:

• Commit to changes in the planning scheme to allow farmers to build accommodation for workers on farm;
• Introducing an online central portal to reduce red tape for producers;
• Continuing our successful AgriGrowth and Young Farmers Loan Schemes to kick-start more innovative farming enterprises;
• Continuing to invest in irrigation schemes, including $75m for the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme;
• Investing $11.3 million in Community Farming Support Programs;
• Creating new market opportunities for fruit growers by funding an industry trade officer and investing in an online produce guide to promote farm gate businesses and reach local and tourist customers;
• Investing $1.5 million over three years to drive growth and sustainability in Tasmanian wine production;
• Providing more than $1.865 million over three years towards Landcare Tasmania’s important programs and initiatives;
• Increasing funding for the valuable work of the state’s three Natural Resource Management bodies with $2.4 million over the next two years;
• Investing $1.7 million to FermenTasmania to assist with the fit-out and equipping of their Fermentation Hub at Legana in the Tamar Valley;
• Providing $500,000 to support cat management in the north-west and west coast; and
• Providing $350,000 to support the construction of a permanent multi-use structure at the Quercus Park site, in partnership with Rural Youth of Tasmania and Dairy Tas.

“Tasmania has a remarkable opportunity to leverage our strengths in agriculture – rich soil, a favourable climate, water infrastructure, enterprising farmers and a premium brand – to significantly expand and accelerate our agricultural industries and food manufacturing capacity,” Premier Rockliff said.

“Only a re-elected majority Liberal Government has a 2030 Strong Plan to support the future of our agriculture industry.”

Cost: $27.74 million in operating expenditure.