The two major national bodies in the Australian forestry sector welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, launching the $100 million rural research and development (R&D) grants program. Source: Timberbiz
Ross Hampton, CEO of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), was pleased to see that the program covered the industry, which employs around 80,000 people and is the third largest manufacturing industry in Australia.
“The forestry sector covers the growing, processing and distribution of wood fibre-based products and sits at the interface between agriculture and manufacturing,” said Mr Hampton.
“It is good to see the new program extends beyond the farm-gate and has a strong focus on supply chain and markets, as well as other key R&D activities.”
The new program is only open for applications from the 15 rural research development corporations, including Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA), and will require at least 50% contribution in cash and in-kind.
Ric Sinclair, managing director of FWPA, said that his organisation has already been canvassing potential investment partners across Australia.
“While this is a competitive grants programme, we are hopeful that we will be able to submit a number of projects that will meet the stated criteria,” he said.
Applications for the first round of funding close on 15 December 2014. Any potential R&D investors that wish to partner with FWPA should make contact with Ric Sinclair as quickly as possible.
