ABC news service has reported that Western Australian grown oysters “will be off the menu this Christmas due to a harmful bacteria”. WA’s only aquaculture oyster producer is Ocean Foods International in Albany. According to its Farm Director Gareth James, the shellfish have ingested the E Coli bacteria, which has washed into waterways due to recent heavy rainfall, and are therefore not fit to eat for this Christmas. Mr James said a closure at this time of year is out of the ordinary but  it... ...Read more »

A free smartphone app, developed by the Western Australian State government agency Consumer Protection and called iShopWA, is now available for shoppers in the State of Western Australia to easily access information about their rights under the new Australian Consumer Law. WA’s Commerce Minister Simon O’Brien said this would be the first Christmas that West Australians have the protections of the new laws, and it was important that they knew their rights regarding refunds, warranties and lay-bys. “Many... ...Read more »

Honey production in Western Australia is down more than half this year, compared with last year, after honeybees were affected by recent drought conditions. The University of Western Australia’s Professor Boris Baer said beekeepers should not expect their bees to produce honey. The weather conditions resulted in failure of blossom in a number of plants important for honey production. The fall in honey production comes on top of declines in honeybee populations nationally and world-wide. Professor... ...Read more »

Western Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman presented Alana Shedley with Young Professionals in Agriculture Forum’s top award at a function in Perth, hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology. The award and accompanying prize money recognises the work of tertiary agriculture and natural resource management students who have completed an undergraduate degree. Redman said the State’s agriculture and food... ...Read more »

Western Australia’s most prestigious biennial event for the foodservice industry, Fine Food Western Australia, is returning to the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre for the fourth time on 20-22 March 2011. Over three days, thousands of visitors will attend WA’s largest food, drink and equipment trade event for the retail, foodservice and hospitality industries. Featuring approximately 200 local and international exhibitors with the latest food, drink and equipment ideas, attendees... ...Read more »

Australia’s first laser guided pork cutting robot has been installed, at a cost of $700,000, at Craig Mostyn Group’s Linley Valley Fresh pork processing works at Wooroloo, WA.Highly accurate laser imaging takes precise measurements of the carcase and programs the robot to cut based on the individual animal’s anatomical features, with cuts designed to maximise the production of high-value meat based on particular customer requirements. Project Manager Dean Romaniello, Senior Manager,... ...Read more »

NASAA have confirmed reports that longstanding WA grower, Steve Marsh, has recently been the victim of GM contamination despite his best efforts to avoid it. Following confirmation that the genetically manipulated (GM) canola plants have indeed contaminated Steve Marsh’s certified organic farm from a neighboring property, NASAA has decertified the affected portion of his farm (325 ha’s) until it can be demonstrated that these areas are GM free. For future certification to be regained... ...Read more »

A West Australian organic farmer is in limbo, awaiting state government test results and facing genetic manipulation giant Monsanto’s legal wrath. Steve Marsh’s organic farm has been decertified over GM canola contamination from a neighbour’s farm.Monsanto revealed today that it would give legal support to the GM grower if Mr Marsh sought redress for his losses through the courts. “For years we called for Farmer Protection laws because GM contamination was inevitable once... ...Read more »

The Chicken Meat Industry Act 1977 will expire at the end of the year, Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman announced today. The decision follows a recent inquiry by the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) which recommended the Act should not be continued. The Act requires that its effectiveness is reviewed every five years, and should only be continued if its continuation can be justified. The Act was introduced in 1977 as a transitional measure to improve the stability of a fledgling chicken... ...Read more »

WA Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today released 2011 Planning Ahead: A guide for your cropping program, a comprehensive guide to help Western Australian grain growers prepare for the next season. Mr Redman said the guide would be distributed before Christmas to allow growers to examine key decision-making areas underpinning cropping program decisions for 2011. “2010 delivered one of the driest growing seasons on record, resulting in below-average yields and financial hardship for... ...Read more »