The Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Bryan Green, said today that the State’s salmon production will likely double by 2030. Last year, Tasmania’s salmon industry produced over 30,000 tonnes of fish. Minister Green said that salmon production in Tasmania had increased by A$250 million in the past five years, growing by almost A$1 Million a week. Minister Green said, “The roll out of irrigation schemes as part of Tasmania’s A$400 Million water development plan should keep... ...Read more »

Australian dairy co-op Murray Goulburn has taken a majority stake in a new milk powder venture in Tasmania. Murray Goulburn announced it is investing in Tasmanian Dairy Products, a business set up in July 2011 to make milk powder for international markets. The company did not disclose how much it had invested in the venture. Murray Goulburn Chairman Grant Davies said, “Tasmanian Dairy Products will process milk at a new facility in Smithton in Tasmania, with production scheduled to start in the... ...Read more »

Tasmania’s Department of Health and Human Services today renewed the public health warning not to eat wild shellfish from the Huon Estuary and parts of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, after a man fell ill with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) after eating contaminated mussels. Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Chrissie Pickin, said the man, in his 50s, developed PSP this week after eating mussels foraged at Dover from waters currently affected by toxic algal bloom. “The individual concerned... ...Read more »

The Dorset Municipality in Tasmania is the northern focus of an innovative food research project aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of the community. Tasmanian Minister for Health, Michelle O’Byrne, yesterday launched Dorset’s efforts in the Tasmanian Food Security Project at the Bridport Primary School garden. The project will assess how easy it is for people in the municipality to get to food stores and the cost, quality and availability of fresh food. “We know in rural towns a range... ...Read more »

National Foods has announced the results of its six-month review of cheesemaking operations across Australia, revealing plans to consolidate Tasmanian operations at its Burnie site, close its Victorian locations and sell its South Australian sites. In Tasmania, the Kirin-Lion-Nathan owned dairy giant will invest $120 in its Burnie facility to produce all its specialty cheeses, transferring operations from its Heidi Farm site, and closing Kings Meadow over three years at a loss of 40 jobs. Only King... ...Read more »

The Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water Bryan Green today announced a reduction in next season’s total allowable catch for the commercial rock lobster fishery. “To ensure the industry remains viable in the future decisions need to be made now because of declining fish stocks,” Mr Green said. Mr Green said harvesting levels had shown decreasing numbers over several seasons.  “These measures are about providing a sustainable fishery for generations to come. The... ...Read more »

More school children will have access to nutritious breakfasts, thanks to $100,000 in Tasmanian State Government funding for breakfast programs next year. The State Government has provided $400,000 over four years for schools to run breakfast programs in partnership with local communities. The Minister for Education and Skills, Lin Thorp, said 22 schools are receiving funding to run breakfast programs in 2011. “Many schools already do a fantastic job running breakfast programs and this funding... ...Read more »

Woolworths and the Tasmanian Government yesterday launched a new ‘Tassie Grown’ initiative to identify Tasmanian-grown produce on local supermarket shelves. Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Bryan Green, said the move was a boost for Tasmanian farmers, and encouraged other retailers to follow suit. “Shoppers will be able to quickly identify locally grown food which is a great opportunity to show support for Tasmanian producers,” he said. “There is strong demand... ...Read more »

The Premier, David Bartlett, today paid tribute to a great innovative and sustainable Tasmanian company – Tassal.  Mr Bartlett opened the Atlantic Salmon producer’s new state-of-the-art hatchery at Ranelagh in southern Tasmania, this morning. “The Atlantic Salmon industry is a major success story for Tasmania,” Mr Bartlett said. “Tassal embodies two crucial values for Tasmania’s economic future – innovation and sustainability. “The company recently... ...Read more »

Tasmania will phase out sow stalls for pigs, with the first restrictions taking effect in 2014, said Minister for Primary Industries Bryan Green today. The move follows a recommendation last month by the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee for the change, including a full ban by July 2017. “It is clear, even in the 2003 edition of the national code, that the use of sow stalls had to be reduced,” said Green. “It is true, however, that this decision will impose a burden of enforced... ...Read more »