The Coalition Government is finalising contracts with the six prawn farm businesses affected by the outbreak of White Spot disease in the Logan River area of Queensland, giving the green light for $20 million in financial assistance to flow.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, said the financial assistance will make a real difference to prawn farmers affected by the outbreak.
“The Coalition Government is delivering real assistance to where it is needed most, despite the refusal of the Queensland Government to participate or even facilitate the payments,” Minister Joyce said.
“This $20 million assistance package will help reimburse costs for prawn farmers in the initial response to the White Spot disease outbreak, including recognition of the stock destroyed, as well as the costs of their farms being out of action for a season.”
Minister Joyce said although this is a positive milestone, there is still a long way to go in rebuilding the Logan River prawn industry and confirming the disease has been eradicated from our waters.