b'A look at seed industry developments around the globe.Austria works to supportSTATUS AUSTRIA to companies of all sizes activeof Australias first National agriculture producers inThe European Commissionin the primary agriculturalBiosecurity Strategy.has approved a 110 millionproduction sector, which haveThe strategy, which comes Ukraine, while West AfricaAustrian scheme to supportbeen affected by the priceafter a National Biosecurity looks to better cowpea forprimary agricultural produc- increase of energy, fertiliz- Statement was agreed to in ers in the context of Russiasers and other raw materials,2018, has been agreed to by protein use. invasion of Ukraine. Thecaused by the current geo- federal, state and territory scheme was approved underpolitical crisis and the relatedministers and will help ensure the State aid Temporary Crisissanctions. that governments and indus-Framework, adopted by theUnder this scheme, thetry work together to protect Commission on March 23,eligible beneficiaries will beAustralia from the threat of 2022 and amended on Julyentitled to receive limitedharmful pests and diseases.20, 2022, based on Articleamounts of aid in the form ofAUSVEG CEO Michael 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on thedirect grants. The aid amountCoote says that industry has Functioning of the Europeanper beneficiary will be cal- been calling for a long-term, Union, recognising that theculated on the basis of theongoing support for the EU economy is experiencing anumber of hectares of agricul- nations biosecurity system, serious disturbance. tural land. with recent biosecurity threats The agricultural sector hasThe Commission foundand incursions proof that bios-been hit particularly hard bythat the Austrian scheme isecurity is too important to be the price increase of energyin line with the conditions setleft to chance.and other input costs causedout in the Temporary CrisisAs we have seen recently, by Russias invasion of UkraineFramework. In particular, theensuring Australia has a and the related sanctions,aid (i) will not exceed 62,000strong and well-resourced Executive Vice-Presidentper beneficiary; and (ii) willbiosecurity system is vital for Margrethe Vestager, in chargebe granted no later thanAustralias agriculture indus-of competition policy, said.December 31, 2022. try and important for the This 110 million schemeThe Commission con- health and safety of every approved today will enablecluded that the AustrianAustralian, said Coote.Austria to support farmersscheme is necessary, appro- While we have natural affected by the current geo- priate and proportionate toadvantages due to our geo-political crisis. We continueremedy a serious disturbancegraphical location, we cannot to stand with Ukraine and itsin the economy of a Memberafford to be complacent. people. At the same time, weState, in line with ArticleRecent biosecurity outbreaks continue working closely with107(3)(b) TFEU and the condi- in this country, including Member States to ensure thattions set out in the TemporaryFall armyworm, Serpentine national support measuresCrisis Framework. leafminer and Varroa Mite, as can be put in place in a timely,On this basis, thewell as the ominous threat of coordinated and effectiveCommission approved the aidFoot and Mouth Disease just way, while protecting themeasure under EU State aidover our border, have shown level playing field in the Singlerules. the tremendous economic Market. Source: European Commission and emotional toll that incur-Austria notified to thesions and the threat of incur-Commission under thesions have on an industry and Temporary Crisis FrameworkSTATUS AUSTRALIA its members.a 110 million scheme to sup- AUSVEG, Australias peakThe announcement of a port the primary agriculturalindustry body for vegeta- National Biosecurity Strategy production sector in theble and potato growers, hasthat has been agreed to by context of Russias invasion ofwelcomed an announcementFederal, State and Territory Ukraine. from Federal AgricultureMinisters is welcome recog-The measure will be openMinister Senator Murray Wattnition of the ever-growing 74/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2022'