A recovery package worth $7.6 million to help the Pacific oyster growers, nurseries and hatcheries to recover from the outbreak of Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) in Tasmania has been launched.
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"The Pacific Oyster industry in Tasmania provides 35 per cent of the Australian Pacific Oyster production volume at an estimated farm gate value of $25 million.
"Tasmania’s Pacific Oyster hatcheries also provide 95 per cent of oyster seed Australia-widem," said Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Primary Industries and Water.
"In considering recovery actions, we have listened carefully to our POMS-affected farmers to develop a financial assistance package to ensure the long-term future of the industry in the state.
"Today, we have established a $5 million POMS recovery concessional loan scheme to provide funding for stock recovery and clean-up of affected farms; operating costs necessary to restart, continue and redevelop operations while recovery occurs; to provide POMS-related infrastructure modifications and re-stock affected oyster farms, and for debt reconstruction.
"The loan scheme is open to Tasmanian owned and operated oyster growers, hatcheries and nurseries located in POMS-affected areas.
"The loan amounts will generally be between $30,000 and up to a maximum of $250,000, and will be at various concessional loan rates.
"The Tasmanian Government will also provide a $1 million contribution towards the clean-up costs on oyster farms in the wake of the POMS outbreak. In addition, the Australian Government is providing $1.135 million dollars in funding towards this effort.
"The total $2.135 million clean-up package will be administered by the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment through a simple application process.
"Affected farms can apply for up to $4,500 per hectare that was under production and experienced POMS mortalities. Importantly, applications can be made for funds already spent in the clean-up, so that oyster growers who were proactive about their recovery can recoup some costs.
"The State Government will also provide another 12 months of fee relief to support growers as they recover.
"This includes lease rental fees, licence fees for all marine farming leaseholders licenced to farm Pacific Oysters in the state and a waiver of the Tasmanian Shellfish Quality Assurance Program (TSQAP) levy and the Primary Produce Food Safety Accreditation fees.
"This further $793,000 fee waiver means that Tasmanian Pacific Oyster Growers will have 24 months of fee relief worth $1.6 million." ■