Australian seafood sector receives US$28.7 million grant

The Australian seafood industry will be boosted by inclusion on the list of the first grant recipients under the Federal Government's A$35 million (US$28.7 million) Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Programme.

The four-year programme aims to boost the productivity and competitiveness of Australia's regional food and seafood industries through innovation and technology improvements.

Out of the A$35 million, A$10 million will be set aside for the seafood industry.

Under the programme, matched-funding grants, generally between A$50,000 and A$2 million, are available for food and seafood businesses to undertake projects based around one or more of the following activities:

• Design and implementation of new technologies, production or processing techniques
   
• Adoption of food production or processing technologies developed overseas
   
• Innovative redesign of existing production/processing lines to improve efficiencies and productivity

US$1 = A$1.217 (Aug 19)