Interim Assistance Package - Funding for Management of Pest Risk

Date

Package

Agency Responsible

Details

1 February 2005

Funding for orchard maintenance

Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

Queensland Premier announced the provision of $55,000:

• Funding provided to two growers to take necessary action to ensure the lemons and limes on their properties did not become a pest risk
• Growers met their contractual arrangements and were paid by QDPIF

Citrus Industry Recovery Scheme

24 February 2005

(Announced 9 February 2005)

Loan Package

Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

Scheme available to Queensland growers with a crop available for harvesting in 2005/2006:

• Access to loans – maximum lending amounts for eligible applicants of up to $500,000
• Two-year interest-free period for Emerald growers
• Approved applicants from outside Emerald area to be subject to Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA) fixed term interest rates of either one or three years
• No fees and charges on QRAA loans

Non-Financial Support Measures for Growers

14 April 2005

Support measures for growers

Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries actioned measures

Range of support measures:

• Briefings for relevant financial institutions
• Ensuring growers had access to farm financial counsellors
• Assistance for Emerald growers to identify production alternatives

(based on Primary Industries Standing Committee's recommendations in its paper, "Citrus Canker Transitional Adjustment Issues")

Australian Government Citrus Canker Assistance Package

11 February 2005

Loan Package and Income Support

Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry

Minister Truss announced $1.5 million package:

• Available to Queensland citrus growers and production nurseries
• Interest rate subsidy (50% of interest up to $100,000 per year for two years)
• Income support (at similar rate to Newstart Allowance)
• Market Facilitation Project

Citrus Canker Reimbursement Package (Funded by Commonwealth/State Governments and Industry)

10 August 2005

Reimbursement and re-establishment package

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

Package funded:

40% Commonwealth Govt.

40% State Government

20% Citrus industry

$11.5 million package announced by Federal and State Ministers:

• Designed to provide reimbursement and re-establishment payments for 115,000 non-infested trees destroyed after 3 June 2005
• Eligible growers entitled to apply for a reimbursement payment of $80 per citrus tree and $20 for each tree for the re-establishment of a citrus orchard
• First payment of $40 per tree paid when trees cut and stacked for burning
• Second $40 instalment paid in November 2005
• Re-establishment assistance of $20 per tree due to be paid in 2007-08 financial year