On the border: keeping agriculture open

13th July 2020 | Eativity editors

The Victorian and New South Wales governments are working together to ensure the agriculture industry can continue to operate while the border is closed.

While some impacts to the Victorian and NSW agricultural industries are anticipated, Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes and NSW Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall have committed to working through any issues that may arise to ensure that farmers and other agriculture businesses can continue get their produce to market.

This includes declaration from the NSW government of agriculture, freight and logistics as critical services, supporting businesses across the border. Both governments are also working to ensure regulatory requirements continue to be met, including necessary animal welfare practices and biosecurity requirements.

The border was closed to stop the spread of COVID, with Victorians able to apply online via the Service NSW website for exemptions to move between the two states.

The Victorian and New South Wales governments are working together to ensure the agriculture industry can continue to operate while the border is closed
Despite border closures, it’s essential that the agriculture supply chain continues to operate.

The extent of any impacts to agricultural industries will become clearer as details of how the border closure will operate are worked though.

 “We are working closely with our federal and New South Wales counterparts to ensure freight movements across the border can continue and our agricultural products can be delivered to market shelves across Victoria,” says Symes.

“We know there are many farmers, agricultural workers and service providers that need to cross the border regularly to do their jobs. We are committed to ensuring we can support them during this difficult time.” 

NSW Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall says that, by working together, the NSW government and Victoria will ensure the agricultural supply chain and its associated workers and businesses will be able to continue operating, despite the border closure.

“Agriculture is critical to both our states and to the country, which is why we’ll be working to make sure there’s minimal to no disruption to this essential sector,” he says.

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