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Something Fishy About Bob Cameron Comments On Local Seafood

The irony of Labor’s Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron encouraging the consumption of local seafood this Easter would not be lost Victoria’s aquaculture industry, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said today.

By Philip Davis - 30th March 2005 - Back to News

Despite single-handedly crippling Victoria’s seafood industry over the past two years, Bob Cameron issued a media release this week calling on Victorians to enjoy local seafood this Easter.

Mr Davis said Bob Cameron stated in his media release that: "60 per cent of seafood consumed in Australia is imported, often caught from unsustainable fisheries overseas and in many cases in vastly inferior to Victoria produce." (Media release, 21.03.05)

Bob Cameron even took the opportunity to give some diet tips, spruiking that fish is "low in fat, high in protein and a good source of omega 3 fatty acids."

Mr Davis said it was a pity Bob Cameron didn’t apply as much effort into keeping Victoria’s aquaculture industry viable as he did in putting positive spin in his media releases.

"Everywhere I go across Victoria to speak to with those in the aquaculture industry, I am continually being told that Bob Cameron refuses to meet with growers to discuss serious issues the entire industry is facing," Mr Davis said.

"During his time as Agriculture Minister, Bob Cameron has approved the skyrocketing of Fisheries Victoria levies from between $250 and $2000.

"This resulted in the number of aquaculture licences issues last year plummeting from 300 to 100 state-wide.

"Bob Cameron approved red-tape that has further complicated compliance issues for growers, as a result 57 of the state’s 60 yabby farms have been forced to downsize or close completely.

"Is it any wonder that, as Bob Cameron says, 60 per cent of all seafood consumed in Australia is imported when Victoria’s industry has been driven into the ground by the Bracks Government?"

Mr Davis said Victorians should support the local seafood industry, but so should the Bracks Government.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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