2 October 2024
The Greens are calling on the State Government to axe fossil fuel subsidies and redirect the funds to support struggling apple and tomato farmers battling frost and virus outbreaks.
The move comes after brown rugose fruit virus was detected in SA for the first-time last month, devastating supply chains and putting hundreds of jobs at risk. Meanwhile, apple farmers are reporting up to an 80 per cent loss in yield after a major frost event decimated their crops in previous weeks.
“Tomato and apple growers are integral to our state’s economy, providing jobs for regional communities and producing food for national markets. In the face of this crisis, the Government needs to step up and provide them with the relief that they need,” said Greens SA Primary Industries Spokesperson Robert Simms MLC.
“The State Government spent $35 million dollars on subsidising the oil and gas industries in 2023–24. This is a huge amount of money to spend on propping up these polluting industries in the face of a climate crisis. Redirecting some of this money into an emergency support fund for growers would ensure that they can recover from this crisis and prevent job losses.”
“The Malinauskas Government must demonstrated that it is committed to protecting our farmers, our environment, and our economy.”