MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper has written to Victoria’s Minister for Agriculture, Mary-Anne Thomas requesting Government support for wine grape growers in the Mildura electorate.
“Our growers are in a precarious position at the moment due to changes to global demand and supply for wine grapes, and the situation doesn’t look likely to be resolved anytime soon,” Ms Cupper said.
“Much of the fruit that would otherwise be made into wine is having to be harvested onto the ground to rot, resulting in significant losses for local wine grape businesses.
“The growers are still copping the cost of harvesting, but will sadly not generate any revenue from the harvest.
“Without some form of assistance, many operations face the prospect of financial difficulty, and the first to go will be our small growers, particularly family farms.”
Ms Cupper has undertaken consultation with the Murray Valley Winegrowers, who represent growers in the Mildura electorate.
They have suggested the Government offer a subsidy to assist eligible growers with the cost of harvest, recognising that the fruit will still have to be harvested, but will not yield any revenue.
“It’s recognition that wine growers have incurred the costs of producing the crop for the past twelve months but have been hampered by the global supply and demand situation,” Ms Cupper said.
“COVID-19 related freight and logistics issues and the impact of the China tariffs have not been a business decision of their making, so it’s fair that the Government work to assist eligible businesses through this difficult period.
“Growers who don’t currently have contracts with wineries need support the most, and this relief would allow them to reduce their costs for this year, pending resolution of the global supply chain issues.”
Ms Cupper estimates that the cost to the Government for supporting wine grape growers in the Murray Valley would be around $600,000.
“If it keeps our family famers afloat while these international issues sort themselves out, then it’s money well spent,” she said.
Media enquiries: Wade Stephens 0423 905 581
