Australia Announces Program to Help Pacific Island Exporters

Australia on Oct. 7 announced a new program that it said will grow agricultural trade for Pacific Island exporters and better help them comply with Australian biosecurity requirements. The country is partnering with the international development firm DT Global to help producers find new markets, better address agricultural pests and allow Pacific producers “greater access” to Australian and New Zealand markets. The country said the initiative, part of its Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Program, will aid a range of exporters, including traders of beef, watermelons and sawn timber. “Helping producers and exporters gain greater market access and improve biosecurity will benefit our entire region and is good news for our agrifood producers and exporters,” said David Littleproud, Australia’s agriculture minister.