Fund food before cars, urges Costa

By Noel Murphy
AVALON Airport’s future as an international food freight centre needs greater government support to the vegetable-growing sector, says produce king Frank Costa.
The Geelong businessman said assistance to the fresh food industry was even more important than to car manufacturers to keep prices down, encourage exports and jobs and stave off a reliance of cheap overseas food.
His comments echoed industry concerns about cuts to research funding and expert assistance, ageing farmers and inadequate young newcomers, high business costs and produce affordability.
“I support training good young people in the horticultural industry to know the latest processes in running farms and to keep up the production of fresh produce so you don’t have to rely on overseas produce,’’ he told the Independent.
“Certainly, there are lots of challenges to growing at economic cost levels to give a good healthier product that’s affordable. It’s very, very important.
“You need graduates with knowledge and a desire to stay in the industry but governments have to always be prepared to throw some money into it, too.
“If they’re going to throw millions into the car industry, it’s even more important to keep the fresh food industry alive and help encourage fresh produce exports.
“Helping cost affordability allows exports and creates employment, especially in rural areas. Government has to look very, very hard at supporting horticulture and agriculture.”
Avalon has long been cited as a major future freight hub for clean, green produce from the south-east of Australia to Asia.
But Vegetable Growers Association of Victoria fears the industry is at a crossroads.
Association executive officer Tony Imeson this week lashed out at Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh and the Department of Primary Industries over funding and a failure to attract and keep young people in the industry.
He criticised a “sharp decline’’ in government cuts to research and development and the departure of many extension officers from the Department of Primary Industries.
“Unlike some manufacturing industries, Victorian vegetable growers have not sought financial assistance and have always taken responsibility for growing, marketing and selling their produce,” Mr Imeson said.