The new badgers introduced in New South Wales in September are more than just a new pest for the state, and they are expected to have a big impact on the honey industry.
The Queensland government announced in January that the state’s honey industry would receive an extra $30 million in funding in the next financial year to support the creation of the honey badging program.
“Queensland’s honey production will continue to grow with the introduction of the new badger,” Queensland Tourism Minister Paul Kelly said.
“This will create jobs and stimulate economic growth across the state.”
The state’s Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPIF) is now looking to the Queensland Government for a grant of $30m to support its efforts.
“The department has received more than $200 million from the state government to support a range of other projects across the economy,” a spokeswoman for the department said.
Mr Kelly said the money would be spent on the new programs, but stressed that they would be a significant boost to the industry.
“It’s a huge investment in the industry and it will allow us to maintain the level of quality of the product,” he said.
The Department of Tourism has also said it will be looking to get $1.6m from the federal government to help with the program.
Topics:honey,horticulture,business-economics-and-finance,business,government-and:state-parliament,australiaFirst posted April 19, 2019 07:48:35Contact Sarah Rainsmore