The new A$110m initiative will support the agricultural and fisheries sector to export their produce into major overseas markets

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Australia Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham. (Credit: The Australian Government)

The Australian Government has taken measures to facilitate freight access for agricultural and fisheries exporters in the country.

The government’s new A$110m programme will help the agricultural and fisheries sector to export their produce into major overseas markets, while return flights will carry the required medical supplies, medicines, and equipment.

Additionally, about A$10m in Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) levies will be abandoned for all Commonwealth fishers, helping to avoid the payment of Commonwealth levies for the rest of this year.

The initiative is part of the government’s A$1bn Relief and Recovery Fund to assist regions, communities and industry sectors that were disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Australia Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the International Freight Assistance Mechanism helps secure freight flights into major markets of the country.

McCormack further added: “This will help restore key freight routes for our farmers until commercial capacity can be restored again.

“We are doing everything possible to help our high-value agricultural and fisheries exporters get their produce on airplanes and into overseas markets.”

The International Freight Assistance Mechanism will target the  markets such as China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UAE

Initially, the International Freight Assistance Mechanism will target crucial markets such as China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UAE. The country’s four departure hubs include Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth.

Michael Byrne has been selected as the international freight coordinator general to oversee the operations.

Byrne will coordinate with Austrade to make required arrangements with exporters, airlines, freight forwarders, and industry bodies, in addition to overseeing the mechanism’s operations such as advising the government on destinations, freight selection and prioritisation.

Australia Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the COVID-19 pandemic had led to major air freight shortages and had disrupted supply chains around the world.

Birmingham also added: “This temporary action will help Australian producers to protect the jobs of those who rely upon Australia’s export of safe, quality food into the world.”

In February this year, Agriculture Victoria collaborated with Australia’s LoRaWAN operator NNNCo to provide internet of things (IoT) network connectivity to farms in Victoria as part of a trial to test IoT technology on farms.