R[0]="2039"; T[0]="Ag Minister announces seafood imports will be tested"; A[0]="By ... Editor"; Dn[0]="20070803"; Dt[0]="Friday 3 August 2007"; Acats[0]="a08a10a34a87a88"; B1[0]="      Seafood imported into Australia will now be tested for a range of antibiotics.... "; B2[0]=" "; B3[0]=" "; B4[0]=" "; B5[0]=" "; S1[0]="      Seafood imported into Australia will now be tested for a range of antibiotics.
      Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran says an "; S2[0]=" Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service survey revealed some imported seafood had unacceptable levels of antibiotic residues.
      But the Australian Seafood Importers Association "; S3[0]=" chairman Harry Peters says the survey results are flawed and the home-grown product is no different.
      'I have personal doubts about the "; S4[0]=" validity of some of the testing,' he said.
      'It just doesn't add up because the fish is caught, processed all within an "; S5[0]=" hour at sea and it's just amazing how these results have poppped up.
      'I challenge the Minister to be on a level "; S6[0]=" playing field here.
      'Test the Australian product that's being produced.
      'What about the Australian product that was rejected from "; S7[0]=" China one month ago for containing cadmium?'.. "; R[1]="1986"; T[1]="Macro Wholefoods Market"; A[1]="By ... Editor"; Dn[1]="20070331"; Dt[1]="Saturday 31 March 2007"; Acats[1]="a07a08a10"; B1[1]="      Australia's largest organic and wholefood supermarket Macro Wholefoods Market is named one of the Ten to Watch retailers for the first time "; B2[1]="by international food and grocery expert IGD... "; B3[1]=" "; B4[1]=" "; B5[1]=" "; S1[1]="      Australia's largest organic and wholefood supermarket Macro Wholefoods Market is named one of the Ten to Watch retailers for the first time "; S2[1]=" by international food and grocery expert IGD.
      IGD annually compiles a list of 10 retailers from around the world that it "; S3[1]=" feels show strong growth prospects, global best practice and innovation, and this year selected Macro Wholefoods Market as a future star among the hundreds of "; S4[1]=" retailers visited by IGD each year.
      'Macro Wholefoods Market impressed us by the way it has responded to the green agenda "; S5[1]=" and consumer concerns,' says Jonathan Gunz, report author and Senior Business Analyst, IGD.
      'A company's stance on sustainability is fast becoming "; S6[1]=" a key factor in consumer purchasing decisions.' Macro Wholefoods Market actively targets what it calls the 'conscious consumer' with a range of more than 12,000 "; S7[1]=" organic, natural and fair trade products, each of which has 'a story to tell' about the source of production and suppliers used.
      "; S8[1]=" Gunz says sustainability and innovative store formats are key themes for retailers starring in 2007 and beyond.
      'Macro Wholefoods Market excels "; S9[1]=" by communicating its business principles throughout its stores.
      It is bold enough to experiment with formats to better connect with customers, for "; S10[1]=" example having in-store cafés, Wellbeing Centres located within its stores and even offering guided tours.' Gunz adds: 'Health, well-being and sustainability concerns are increasingly becoming "; S11[1]=" mainstream and Macro Wholefoods Market is benefiting.
      This is evidenced by the number of new customers they are attracting who have never "; S12[1]=" been to health stores before.' Macro Wholefoods has ambitious growth plans, with aims to grow its current eight Sydney and Melbourne stores to 35-40 nationwide "; S13[1]=" and a possible export of the concept.
      Other retailers making the Ten to Watch 2007 list include online giant Amazon, which is "; S14[1]=" striking into the emerging online grocery market, and Indian conglomerate Reliance, which has taken first mover advantage in the dynamic and strategically important Indian retail "; S15[1]=" sector.
      'These retailers are successful in finding the 'Retail X Factor.' That is, something unique and special that makes their concept "; S16[1]=" stand out from the crowd.
      It is the best way to respond to rapidly evolving consumer trends,' concludes Gunz... "; R[2]="1941"; T[2]="Providing consumers with what they want"; A[2]="By ... Editor"; Dn[2]="20070304"; Dt[2]="Sunday 4 March 2007"; Acats[2]="a10a17a18"; B1[2]="      Knowing what consumers want from fresh food will help businesses market and manage their produce after harvest, according to NSW Department of "; B2[2]="Primary Industries postharvest researcher, Dr Jenny Ekman... "; B3[2]=" "; B4[2]=" "; B5[2]=" "; S1[2]="      Knowing what consumers want from fresh food will help businesses market and manage their produce after harvest, according to NSW Department of "; S2[2]=" Primary Industries postharvest researcher, Dr Jenny Ekman.
      Dr Ekman says consumers are looking for 'quality, speed, safety and nutrition in fresh produce'.
"; S3[2]="       'Sensory analysis - in which panels of consumers are asked to provide feedback to researchers on fresh food characteristics - is of "; S4[2]=" growing importance to the postharvest industry.
      'Understanding consumer perceptions is the key to marketing and the produce management practices required from farm-to-plate', "; S5[2]=" she said.
      Dr Ekman, from DPI's Gosford postharvest research group, is Manager of the 2007 Australasian Postharvest Conference, which is being held "; S6[2]=" in September this year on the Central Coast.
      This year's conference will for the first time feature an industry day, which will "; S7[2]=" focus on developments in sensory analysis as well as market access, innovative technologies, and linking research to results.
      Expert researchers and industry "; S8[2]=" leaders will provide an insight into their methods and results.
      Dr Ekman said sensory analysis is uncovering new information about consumer relationships "; S9[2]=" with produce and is providing knowledge that will help industry develop their businesses.
      She says keynote speakers at the conference 'will present "; S10[2]=" their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities provided in a rapidly changing global market.
      'Businesses will be able to find out how "; S11[2]=" research providers can support investment in systems of produce management and marketing which meet consumer needs.' Dr Ekman said industry would benefit from an improved "; S12[2]=" understanding of the research sector and the expertise available for them to draw upon.
      Conference participants will hear about new packaging, storage "; S13[2]=" and transport technologies, as well as innovative approaches to marketing and ways to encourage industry to adopt new technologies.
      'Research providers, meanwhile, "; S14[2]=" will gain a better appreciation of the commercial drivers and challenges industries are facing and how their postharvest research can add value to businesses investing "; S15[2]=" in new technologies.
      'There is significant strategic value here for all participants', Dr Ekman said.
      Case studies of innovative "; S16[2]=" businesses that have captured the benefits of using new postharvest technologies will be examined.
      The scientific program for the Conference includes providing "; S17[2]=" research results in the areas of functional foods, fresh cuts, modified atmospheres for storage, quarantine treatments, produce quality, molecular studies and preharvest effects on postharvest "; S18[2]=" quality.
      The Conference theme is 'Postharvest at Work'.
      It is to be held from 10-12 September the Crowne Plaza "; S19[2]=" Hotel in Terrigal... "; R[3]="1935"; T[3]="Red meat expenditure continues record breaking run"; A[3]="By ... Editor"; Dn[3]="20070304"; Dt[3]="Sunday 4 March 2007"; Acats[3]="a08a10a26a27"; B1[3]="      Australia's love of red meat continues to strengthen, with preliminary estimates released today by Meat & Livestock Australia showing that consumer expenditure "; B2[3]="on red meat in Australia grew by a massive $480 million last year... "; B3[3]=" "; B4[3]=" "; B5[3]=" "; S1[3]="      Australia's love of red meat continues to strengthen, with preliminary estimates released today by Meat & Livestock Australia showing that consumer expenditure "; S2[3]=" on red meat in Australia grew by a massive $480 million last year.
      This was the ninth year of consecutive sales growth "; S3[3]=" for the domestic red meat category and comes at a time when the industry is suffering from severe drought and experiencing near record demand from "; S4[3]=" overseas.
      The estimates, calculated by MLA and based on ABS and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry statistics, show domestic red meat "; S5[3]=" expenditure - made up of beef, lamb and mutton sales - was a record $8.7 billion in 2006, up 5.9 percent on the record set "; S6[3]=" in 2005.
      MLA Managing Director David Palmer said the level of expenditure was higher than anticipated and was an indication that red "; S7[3]=" meat continues to play an important and growing role in the Australian diet.
      This really is a remarkable result, considering the challenges "; S8[3]=" the Australian red meat industry has faced over the past couple of years, Mr Palmer said.
      It is a sign of a "; S9[3]=" mature industry that we can maintain consistent quality and supply during severe drought and at a time when there is huge demand for our product "; S10[3]=" from overseas markets.
      Mr Palmer said there were a number of key drivers behind the record increase in expenditure, including effective promotion, "; S11[3]=" consistent product quality and a wider knowledge about the nutritional benefits of red meat in the diet.
      'One of the key factors "; S12[3]=" behind the growth in expenditure on lamb was the hugely successful Sam Kekovich Australia Day marketing campaign, which generated a spike in sales during January "; S13[3]=" and also led to a continuation of the strong demand in following months, Mr Palmer said.
      Other marketing campaigns also helped boost "; S14[3]=" expenditure, including the Bring out the beef campaign and the Red meat we were meant to eat it campaign which was fronted by movie star "; S15[3]=" Sam Neill.
      However, the real foundation of the growth in the beef and lamb categories is the consistent quality of the product, "; S16[3]=" its health benefits and the efforts of retailers to continually meet the demands of consumers.
      Domestic expenditure on lamb showed the largest "; S17[3]=" growth in 2006, with a 10.6 percent increase on the year before to $1.9 billion.
      Lamb volumes increased by 7.2 percent with "; S18[3]=" retail prices up 3.2 percent.
      Expenditure on beef increased to $6.5 billion, an increase of 5.6 percent on 2005.
      "; S19[3]=" Beef volumes increased by 2.5 percent with retail prices up 3.0 percent.
      Mutton was the only category to fall in 2006, with "; S20[3]=" expenditure on it dropping by 15 percent to $269 million.
      Latest demand figures also show that consumer demand for lamb is now "; S21[3]=" the highest it's been since 1985 and demand for beef is the highest since 1990... "; R[4]="1906"; T[4]="Kids Eat, Kids Play main survey begins"; A[4]="By ... Editor"; Dn[4]="20070222"; Dt[4]="Thursday 22 February 2007"; Acats[4]="a09a10"; B1[4]="      One of the most important surveys of children ever to be undertaken in Australia gets underway nationally today with thousands of phone "; B2[4]="calls to families across Australia inviting them to participate... "; B3[4]=" "; B4[4]=" "; B5[4]=" "; S1[4]="      One of the most important surveys of children ever to be undertaken in Australia gets underway nationally today with thousands of phone "; S2[4]=" calls to families across Australia inviting them to participate.
      Four thousand young people are being sought to take part in the national "; S3[4]=" nutrition and physical activity survey, known as Kids Eat, Kids Play, being undertaken by CSIRO, through the Preventative Health Flagship and the Human Nutrition Centre, "; S4[4]=" in partnership with the University of South Australia.
      Participants are being recruited throughout the first half of 2007, and the interviews are "; S5[4]=" expected to continue until August 2007.
      Children will be randomly selected from metropolitan and regional areas of all Australian states and territories.
"; S6[4]="       The selected families will be telephoned and invited to take part in the survey, which will involve 230 towns and cities across "; S7[4]=" Australia.
      Participants will be interviewed face-to-face about their food intake, activity patterns, and physical measurements.
      Additional information about the "; S8[4]=" number of steps they take will be collected using a pedometer for seven days for children aged over five, and some general questions about the "; S9[4]=" household will be asked.
      'It is the first national survey of Australian children's nutrient intake since 1995 and the first national physical "; S10[4]=" activity survey since 1985.' Project Director, Professor Tim Olds from the School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, will lead the activity survey, which "; S11[4]=" will include measuring how children use their time and their weight status.
      Nutrition survey activities are managed for the Preventative Health Flagship "; S12[4]=" by Professor Lynne Cobiac, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Flinders University of South Australia.
      This will involve gathering "; S13[4]=" detailed information about the food, beverage and dietary supplement intake of children aged two to 16 years.
      Independent national social research fieldwork "; S14[4]=" company, I-View, will work with the University of South Australia and CSIRO to conduct the survey, which has involved preparing a team of interviewers based "; S15[4]=" in centres across Australia to gather the data.
      It is the first national survey of Australian children's nutrient intake since 1995 and "; S16[4]=" the first national physical activity survey since 1985.
      The survey has been jointly funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, the "; S17[4]=" Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Australian Food and Grocery Council... "; R[5]="1681"; T[5]="Red meat industry up to the challenge"; A[5]="By ... Editor"; Dn[5]="20061123"; Dt[5]="Thursday 23 November 2006"; Acats[5]="a08a10a25a27"; B1[5]="      Meat & Livestock Australia Chairman Don Heatley today acknowledged the arrival of a number of challenges that have long been forecast for "; B2[5]="the red meat industry... "; B3[5]=" "; B4[5]=" "; B5[5]=" "; S1[5]="      Meat & Livestock Australia Chairman Don Heatley today acknowledged the arrival of a number of challenges that have long been forecast for "; S2[5]=" the red meat industry.
      In his Chairman's address at the MLA Annual General Meeting in Adelaide Mr Heatley applauded livestock producers for "; S3[5]=" their foresight and hard work in preparing the Australian industry to meet these challenges.
      Mr Heatley said that in the face of "; S4[5]=" prolonged drought, more demanding consumers and increasing competition from other red meat exporting countries it was vital the industry remained positive about the future.
  "; S5[5]="     'Our industry is in a strong and fortunate position with domestic and global demand for beef, lamb and goat still very strong,' Mr "; S6[5]=" Heatley said.
      Mr Heatley also made a call for the industry to remain focussed amid the challenges and stressed that there was "; S7[5]=" an enormous amount to be positive about.
      'We owe it to ourselves and everyone involved in our industry to speak proudly about "; S8[5]=" the position we are in,' Mr Heatley said.
      'The industry is in good shape, we should be proud of it, and I "; S9[5]=" am confident that we can keep ahead of our rivals and can successfully respond to the challenges the industry faces.' In his address at the "; S10[5]=" AGM, MLA Managing Director David Palmer outlined the main highlights for the industry and MLA over the past 12 months including the continued growth in "; S11[5]=" expenditure on red meat and livestock.
      'Domestic expenditure on beef grew by a further 6.5 percent to $6.4 billion while lamb rose "; S12[5]=" a further 4.5 percent to $1.78 billion,' Mr Palmer said.
      'These are impressive results achieved through a number of industry programs including "; S13[5]=" the 'foundation food' campaign which featured actor Sam Neill.
      'Recognising the importance of growing community expectations in the areas of animal welfare "; S14[5]=" and environmental sustainability, MLA partnered with RSPCA and a range of industry bodies across all sectors to produce and distribute over 90,000 copies of the "; S15[5]=" 'Fit to Load' guide for best practice in animal transport.' Mr Palmer said MLA had developed a number of practical tools and extension materials to "; S16[5]=" help livestock producers boost on-farm productivity and profitability.
      'One great example is the Rainfall and Pasture Growth Outlook Tool, which is an "; S17[5]=" online resource that enables producers to assess rainfall patterns, climatic conditions and potential pasture growth for the coming season,' Mr Palmer said.
      "; S18[5]=" 'During the year over 18,000 producers attended MLA Prime Time, EDGEnetwork, Grain and Graze and More Beef from Pastures field days, seminars and workshops.' MLA "; S19[5]=" also launched Frontier magazine which showcases on-farm applications of R&D outcomes for northern production systems.
      Mr Palmer also detailed the financial performance "; S20[5]=" of MLA during 2005-06 in his address, of which the key points included: - An increase in revenue of $14.4 million in 2005-06 to a "; S21[5]=" total of $156.6 million.
      - Producer levy income of $82 million - up $10 million on the year before due to the "; S22[5]=" beef levy increase and increased cattle transactions.
      - 45 percent of MLA's income was non levy income.
      Total non "; S23[5]=" levy income was $70.3 million, with $40.3 million coming from the Federal Government.
      - Expenditure in 2006-06 totalled $158.6 million, an increase "; S24[5]=" of $19 million on the year before... "; R[6]="1622"; T[6]="Tantalising tastes - New book tempts foodies with tropical pleasures"; A[6]="By ... Editor"; Dn[6]="20061108"; Dt[6]="Wednesday 8 November 2006"; Acats[6]="a09a10"; B1[6]="      North Queensland is well known for its magnificent Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage-listed rainforests and inspiring outback landscapes, but it is also "; B2[6]="home to a tantalising array of tropical fruit... "; B3[6]=" "; B4[6]=" "; B5[6]=" "; S1[6]="      North Queensland is well known for its magnificent Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage-listed rainforests and inspiring outback landscapes, but it is also "; S2[6]=" home to a tantalising array of tropical fruit.
      The perfect introduction to some of the many exotic and often unique tastes of "; S3[6]=" the region is the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries publication Tropical Tastes: Fruits, foods and flavours of North Queensland.
      Due to "; S4[6]=" overwhelming demand, Tropical Tastes has now been reprinted and is available for purchase for $12 (plus postage) from the DPI&F's Business Information Centre.
    "; S5[6]="   The book details each fruit, its peak fruiting times, suggested cooking and preparation methods and has a handy nutritional guide.
      While "; S6[6]=" we are all familiar with the traditional fruits that any good smoothie must have, such as mango and banana, savouring the first bite of fruits "; S7[6]=" such as mangosteen and rambutan is a delectably surprising 'zing' for the taste buds.
      The tropical fruit and vegetable industry is important "; S8[6]=" to the local economy and a significant contributor to the state's vital food and agribusiness sector.
      The combined gross value of tropical "; S9[6]=" produce at the farm gate is around $640 million a year.
      The largest of these industries are serious revenue earners for Queensland, "; S10[6]=" with annual turnovers in excess of $5 million.
      The smaller fruit enterprises of the tropical north are gathering momentum with a diverse "; S11[6]=" range of crops such as rambutan, mangosteen, papaya and lychee.
      Niche crops such as pepper and lime, and emerging crops such as "; S12[6]=" bamboo shoots, are commercially produced for southern and export markets.
      DPI&F has worked with exotic fruit and vegetable industries to foster development, "; S13[6]=" strengthen a market-led export culture and identify opportunities for the future.
      Tropical Tastes is your best one-stop guide to these tropical delights.
"; S14[6]="       To order your copy of Tropical Tastes, contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23... "; R[7]="1525"; T[7]="Drought hits food prices"; A[7]="By ... Editor"; Dn[7]="20061017"; Dt[7]="Tuesday 17 October 2006"; Acats[7]="a07a10"; B1[7]="      Prices of basic food items such as eggs, milk and meat are tipped to rise on the back of the nation's worst "; B2[7]="drought in a century... "; B3[7]=" "; B4[7]=" "; B5[7]=" "; S1[7]="      Prices of basic food items such as eggs, milk and meat are tipped to rise on the back of the nation's worst "; S2[7]=" drought in a century.
      Retailers, farmers and the business sector yesterday warned consumers to brace themselves for the flow-on impact of a "; S3[7]=" massive 60 per cent fall in the nation's grain harvest.
      The grain crop disaster has sent shockwaves through the dairying, chicken, pig "; S4[7]=" and beef industries, all of whom rely on grain as feedstock.
      AgForce chief executive Brett de Hayr said Australia, long one of "; S5[7]=" the world's major grain exporters, had actually reached the position where it was looking at importing grain.
      Mr de Hayr said it "; S6[7]=" had never been economic to import because of the high cost of treating grain for pests.
      But with prices at a 15-year "; S7[7]=" high, importing was starting to look viable.
      'Never before in our history have we had to contemplate the wholesale importation of basic "; S8[7]=" food commodities, however that scenario could eventuate,' Mr de Hayr said.
      'The drought is no longer just a farmers' problem.' Southeast Queenslanders "; S9[7]=" could soon feel an impact in the hip pocket as the drought starts to bite on food prices.
      Coles spokesman Scott Whiffin "; S10[7]=" said retailers were concerned.
      'All the feedback we're getting from suppliers is that the drought has hit really hard,' Mr Whiffin said.
"; S11[7]="       'We're watching but we don't know yet how it will translate.
      It's really tough on the eastern seaboard and "; S12[7]=" the southwest corner of the continent.' With Commerce Queensland president Beatrice Booth calling for urgent help for farmers, Prime Minister John Howard is expected later "; S13[7]=" this week to announce a major extension to his drought relief package.
      It's expected about $750 million will be tipped into the "; S14[7]=" sector over four or five years, with the Government prepared to pump more money in if the drought worsens.
      Federal Agriculture Minister "; S15[7]=" Peter McGauran said the nation faced unprecedented times.
      'We've reached the end of the line.
      We have to .
"; S16[7]="       .
      .
      come to the assistance of farmers,' he said.
      The relief package "; S17[7]=" will make it easier for farmers to receive household income assistance, similar to unemployment benefits, as well as interest rate subsidies.
      The "; S18[7]=" stockmarket has reacted to the drought with a long list of agricultural stocks ranging from fertiliser and cattle companies to the Australian Wheat Board all "; S19[7]=" falling in value.
      Australian Egg Corporation managing director James Kellaway said the cost of wheat contracts had jumped from $180 to $310 "; S20[7]=" a tonne.
      This translated to a rise of 20¢ to 30¢ per dozen eggs.
      'At current egg prices, we "; S21[7]=" will not be able to compete with flour millers and other end users of grain,' Mr Kellaway said... "; R[8]="1461"; T[8]="Dietary fibre found in sugar cane to tackle obesity"; A[8]="By ... Editor"; Dn[8]="20060927"; Dt[8]="Wednesday 27 September 2006"; Acats[8]="a09a10a20"; B1[8]="      With Australia taking over as having one of the world's fastest growth rates of childhood obesity, a timely breakthrough could soon see "; B2[8]="our school children eating foods enriched with dietary fibre which comes from sugar cane... "; B3[8]=" "; B4[8]=" "; B5[8]=" "; S1[8]="      With Australia taking over as having one of the world's fastest growth rates of childhood obesity, a timely breakthrough could soon see "; S2[8]=" our school children eating foods enriched with dietary fibre which comes from sugar cane.
      Austrade's Fukuoka-based Senior Trade Commissioner, Jarrod Waring said "; S3[8]=" Japanese school children will lead the way, now Japan has placed orders for an Australian sugar cane by-product, bagasse, which is being made into dietary "; S4[8]=" fibre.
      'Bagasse, a by-product of sugar can now be converted into enriched dietary fibre that can be added to any processed food "; S5[8]=" or products to make it healthier,' Mr Waring said.
      'Japan has already placed orders with Kristevefourspace Ussy who has a memorandum of "; S6[8]=" understanding with Mossman Central Mill in Queensland to produce the world's first commercial bagasse dietary fibre.
      'Export potential to Japan is "; S7[8]=" high, the current production volumes are already forward purchased this season amidst the Japanese Government's growing concerns for its unhealthy youth demanding increased daily fibre "; S8[8]=" for intake for their school children.
      'The product is highly valued in Japan where it will be added to children's lunches as "; S9[8]=" part of a new government initiative,' he said.
      The announcement follows this month's meeting of the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) in "; S10[8]=" Sydney which addressed the growing problem of obesity in Australia and around the world.
      Australia has one of the world's fastest growth "; S11[8]=" rates for childhood obesity with two-thirds of Australian men, half of all women and a quarter of all children either overweight or obese.
    "; S12[8]="   Mr Waring said the demand for bagasse is in huge demand in Japan and it won't be long before the benefits of bagasse are "; S13[8]=" seen in Australia.
      The concept to produce bagasse was borne out of research done by Professor Shinto of Ryukyu University in Okinawa "; S14[8]=" Japan and was brought to the sugar cane industry in Far North Queensland by Austrade's Okinawa District Manager Yasushi Miyazono.
      The process "; S15[8]=" has now gone beyond the concept and marketing stage to commercial start up.
      Cairns based company Kristevefourspace Ussy (KFSU) has a joint "; S16[8]=" venture with Mossman Central Mill to produce dietary fibre out of sugarcane bagasse which is 40 per cent of the total cane biomass and is "; S17[8]=" usually burnt as fuel for their boilers.
      KSFU Managing Director Gordon Edwards said bagasse is readily absorbed into processed foods and cooking "; S18[8]=" without any flavour or texture.
      'We use steam, heat and pressure to break the cellulose and hemicelluloses structure of the bagasse and "; S19[8]=" this is then dried and milled as dietary fibre, with a value ten times that of bulk sugar,' Mr Edwards said.
      The "; S20[8]=" Far North Queensland (FNQ) Area Consultative Committee's sugar cane reform spokesman Fred Marchant believes the project is leading the way for sugar cane diversification and "; S21[8]=" assisting the FNQ century old sugar industry move into the 21st Century... "; R[9]="1444"; T[9]="Get set to pay more for meat"; A[9]="By ... Editor"; Dn[9]="20060927"; Dt[9]="Wednesday 27 September 2006"; Acats[9]="a07a10a27"; B1[9]="      Meat prices could rise by as much as 50 per cent early next year as consumers brace for the the effects of "; B2[9]="the Australia-wide drought... "; B3[9]=" "; B4[9]=" "; B5[9]=" "; S1[9]="      Meat prices could rise by as much as 50 per cent early next year as consumers brace for the the effects of "; S2[9]=" the Australia-wide drought.
      Farmers are selling off stock because of a lack of feed.
      While consumers can expect beef "; S3[9]=" and lamb prices in the butcher and supermarket to fall until the end of the year, they face sharp increases early in the new year "; S4[9]=" as the oversupply eases, experts warn.
      Meat and Livestock Australia chief market analyst Peter Weeks said there had been a 70 per "; S5[9]=" cent increase in cattle yardings in SA in the past five weeks.
      'If the dry continues, a lot of lambs will also "; S6[9]=" be off-loaded in late spring, early summer, and early next calendar year,' Mr Weeks said.
      'As supplies tighten up I think consumers "; S7[9]=" will find meat prices will go up early next year.' While retailers would set their own prices, rises of between 30 and 50 per cent "; S8[9]=" could not be ruled out.
      He said rises could be alleviated with solid rains in the next month.
      Rebecca "; S9[9]=" Van Rooyen, 23, of Woodville, said meat was the most expensive part of weekly shopping.
      'If the price happened to go up "; S10[9]=" significantly I reckon I'd have to find a new job,' she said.
      As at June last year, there were 1.38 million cattle "; S11[9]=" in SA, a rise of 2 per cent on the 2004 figure.
      In June, 2005, there were 12.5 million sheep in SA "; S12[9]=" compared with 12.9 million the year before... "; R[10]="1424"; T[10]="Pie maker takes upper crust at national bake-off"; A[10]="By ... Editor"; Dn[10]="20060921"; Dt[10]="Thursday 21 September 2006"; Acats[10]="a10a48"; B1[10]="      It appears the Outback Pie Co has the recipe for success.... "; B2[10]=" "; B3[10]=" "; B4[10]=" "; B5[10]=" "; S1[10]="      It appears the Outback Pie Co has the recipe for success.
      The Aitkenvale pie manufacturer brought home two silver "; S2[10]=" medals from the Great Australian Meat Pie Competition, held last week in Melbourne as part of the nation's largest food expo, 2006 Fine Food Australia.
"; S3[10]="       Competing against Australia's best gourmet bakeries and largest pie manufacturers, the local company beat more than 12,000 entries to snatch awards "; S4[10]=" in the Chunky Beef and the Classic Mince Pie categories.
      Having already taken out two bronze medals at the Queensland Meat "; S5[10]=" Pie Competition this year, company director Milo Gaffney said he was pleased with his expanding trophy cabinet.
      'We were fairly confident "; S6[10]=" we would win some type of award but we are extremely pleased that we have come up with two silver medals,' Mr Gaffney said.
  "; S7[10]="     He said the awards were testimony to the production team's hard work and the quality foods they produced.
      "; S8[10]=" 'We've got a team of guys who work tirelessly to assure the products are always good quality and that the consistency is maintained, despite the "; S9[10]=" fact we produce and sell more than 50,000 pies, pastries and sausage rolls per week,' he said.
      Several hundred pie retailers, "; S10[10]=" convenience stores and schools in North Queensland and the Northern Territory stock the company's products.
      'What we do is use the best "; S11[10]=" quality export grade beef that can be purchased and all prime cuts of beef,' he said... "; R[11]="1368"; T[11]="Looking for that secret ingredient?"; A[11]="By ... Editor"; Dn[11]="20060908"; Dt[11]="Friday 8 September 2006"; Acats[11]="a10"; B1[11]="      All over the world, chefs, cooks and food lovers are looking for that special ingredient to make their meals stand out - "; B2[11]="a real dish to remember... "; B3[11]=" "; B4[11]=" "; B5[11]=" "; S1[11]="      All over the world, chefs, cooks and food lovers are looking for that special ingredient to make their meals stand out - "; S2[11]=" a real dish to remember.
      Many of those special ingredients will be at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries' Enterprising Women "; S3[11]=" in Rural Industries Trade Show in Brisbane on Tuesday 10 October.
      Forty gourmet growers from across Queensland will tantalise the tastebuds of "; S4[11]=" chefs, distributors, retailers and the buying public with quality products born of a love of the land and a passion for good food and wine.
"; S5[11]="       Organic eggs, duck and goat meat, Moreton Bay oysters, biodynamic cheeses and yoghurts from North Queensland, South African boerewors sausage, pumpkin seed "; S6[11]=" oil, redclaw crayfish, squab from central Queensland, raincherries from the Sunshine Coast - a feast of fresh and fabulous food! DPI&F Assistant Director-General Catherine O'Sullivan "; S7[11]=" said the state's primary industries were evolving with the emergence of more small businesses run by women who were developing products developed from Queensland's unique "; S8[11]=" environment and lifestyle.
      'This gathering of enterprising women will be a showcase of exciting foods from regional Queensland' she said.
    "; S9[11]="   'The food sector and Brisbane consumers are in for a real treat.' The trade show, now in its third year will feature four well-known "; S10[11]=" Queensland chefs.
      They are Matt Golinski, former head chef at Ricky Ricardos on the Sunshine Coast; Dominique Rizzo, head chef and co-owner "; S11[11]=" of Australia's first licensed organic fine dining restaurant Brisbane's Mondo Organics; Martin Duncan chef and owner of iconic Brisbane dessert café Freestyle Tout; and Kim "; S12[11]=" Moore head chef at Harveys, who will use exhibitors' farm, fresh produce to conjure up dishes with a difference.
      Ms O'Sullivan said "; S13[11]=" one of Australia's best-known wine commentators and passionate supporter of regional foods Peter Howard would discuss Queensland wines.
      'Peter will explain why "; S14[11]=" Queenslanders should celebrate the uniqueness of our own wines rather than compare them to wines from southern states,' she said.
      The DPI&F "; S15[11]=" Enterprising Women in Rural Industries Trade Show will be held at Royal on the Park Hotel, corner Albert and Alice Streets, Brisbane on Tuesday 10 "; S16[11]=" October 9.00am to 4.00pm (all welcome)... "; R[12]="1271"; T[12]="Heart 'tick' to be applied to eating out"; A[12]="By ... Editor"; Dn[12]="20060810"; Dt[12]="Thursday 10 August 2006"; Acats[12]="a09a10"; B1[12]="      The National Heart Foundation has launched a campaign to improve the quality of meals eaten out, extending its Tick Program to food "; B2[12]="bought in restaurants and canteens... "; B3[12]=" "; B4[12]=" "; B5[12]=" "; S1[12]="      The National Heart Foundation has launched a campaign to improve the quality of meals eaten out, extending its Tick Program to food "; S2[12]=" bought in restaurants and canteens.
      The foundation is inviting caterers and restaurants to have their meals 'tick-tested', which would include an examination "; S3[12]=" of kilojoules, saturated fat, vegetable, fibre and salt content.
      In 2004, 4.8 billion meals were eaten out in Australia - most of "; S4[12]=" them consumed at fast-food chains - with almost one in three people eating out every day.
      Until now, the foundation's tick program "; S5[12]=" has only rated products available in supermarkets.
      Susan Anderson, the program's national manager, said most take-away food could be improved dramatically without "; S6[12]=" increasing cost or losing taste.
      'Consumer research has shown that eight out of 10 Australians want healthier choices when they eat out,' "; S7[12]=" she said.
      'What we are doing is creating a benchmark with the aim to generate healthy options for Australians.' She said meals "; S8[12]=" meeting tick standards would have nutrition information panels posted in the outlets in which they were served... "; R[13]="1218"; T[13]="Farmers seek better food label laws for online shopping"; A[13]="By ... Editor"; Dn[13]="20060730"; Dt[13]="Sunday 30 July 2006"; Acats[13]="a10"; B1[13]="      Farmers say an oversight by Australia's peak food regulator is allowing fruit and vegetables to be sold on the Internet without new "; B2[13]="country-of-origin labelling... "; B3[13]=" "; B4[13]=" "; B5[13]=" "; S1[13]="      Farmers say an oversight by Australia's peak food regulator is allowing fruit and vegetables to be sold on the Internet without new "; S2[13]=" country-of-origin labelling.
      Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) introduced the tougher labelling laws last month after farmers fought for imported food to "; S3[13]=" be clearly identified.
      However, with major supermarkets now offering online grocery sales, the rules do not apply.
      Brian Bond "; S4[13]=" from the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association says FSANZ should have identified the issue.
      'It's obviously been an oversight by Food Standards "; S5[13]=" Australia and New Zealand and it's something that certainly needs to be looked at and if we can plug the gap we should,' he said.
"; S6[13]="       'We need sales and I guess this area of sales is going to increase rather than decrease so it's certainly something that "; S7[13]=" needs addressing.' Lydia Buchtmunn from FSANZ says the issue has not been overlooked.
      'Actually we've been addressing that for quite a long "; S8[13]=" time we've been looking at the whole labelling standard to look at things perhaps that are home delivered,' she said.
      'Whether they "; S9[13]=" are Internet shopping, home delivered shopping or even things as broad as Meals on Wheels and how they should be labelled for consumers for safety "; S10[13]=" issues and consumer information,' she said... "; R[14]="1167"; T[14]="Education officials voice concerns over plan to weigh children"; A[14]="By ... Editor"; Dn[14]="20060721"; Dt[14]="Friday 21 July 2006"; Acats[14]="a04a09a10a53"; B1[14]="      Measuring and weighing children for a nationwide survey aimed at reducing childhood obesity has raised concerns in Tasmania.... "; B2[14]=" "; B3[14]=" "; B4[14]=" "; B5[14]=" "; S1[14]="      Measuring and weighing children for a nationwide survey aimed at reducing childhood obesity has raised concerns in Tasmania.
      Education "; S2[14]=" Minister David Bartlett, joins Health Minister Lara Giddings and State School Parents and Friends president Jenny Branch, who are against a plan that labels young "; S3[14]=" children as being overweight.
      'We have a comprehensive suite of programs across our schools and I believe that if we are "; S4[14]=" going to tackle the obesity problem in Tasmania and across Australia it begins at home,' he said.
      'Schools are just a reflection "; S5[14]=" of the wider society and while I do believe that through schools we need to provide education, healthy choices within our canteens and fitness programs, "; S6[14]=" I am a bit concerned about a program that looks at weighing and measuring because of the dangers that it can cause.
      "; S7[14]=" 'I have no problem with programs that are evidence based, that we research and base our programs on good hard data, but I have concerns "; S8[14]=" for kids that can be labelled for life through if these sorts of programs aren't constructed very carefully.' The $3million national nutrition survey is part "; S9[14]=" of obesity fighting measures announced this week by Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott... "; R[15]="1154"; T[15]="Dried fruits industry to take on snack foods sector"; A[15]="By ... Editor"; Dn[15]="20060720"; Dt[15]="Thursday 20 July 2006"; Acats[15]="a10a18"; B1[15]="      The dried fruit industry says it will tackle the snack foods market in an effort to counter the growing competition from cheap "; B2[15]="imports... "; B3[15]=" "; B4[15]=" "; B5[15]=" "; S1[15]="      The dried fruit industry says it will tackle the snack foods market in an effort to counter the growing competition from cheap "; S2[15]=" imports.
      Growers and processors say they cannot compete with the cost of production in Turkey and Iran to supply the lower end "; S3[15]=" of the market.
      Peter Jones from the Australian Dried Fruits Association says it is tough to get space on the supermarket shelves, "; S4[15]=" but there is consumer demand for healthier alternatives to chocolate bars and chips.
      'Traditionally we've always been looked at as being an "; S5[15]=" ingredient in fruit cakes and breakfast cereals, so really we've got to go to the snacking market,' he said.
      'The growing market "; S6[15]=" in the supermarket is the snacking area.
      People want fast, convenient food, they want healthy food, they want it packaged in the "; S7[15]=" right way.
      We've got to have it convenient for the modern day customer.'.. "; R[16]="1130"; T[16]="Funding Call to Make Nutrition Fun"; A[16]="By ... Editor"; Dn[16]="20060718"; Dt[16]="Tuesday 18 July 2006"; Acats[16]="a09a10a53"; B1[16]="      AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, today called on the Federal Government to fully fund a nutrition education grant to every school in "; B2[16]="Australia... "; B3[16]=" "; B4[16]=" "; B5[16]=" "; S1[16]="      AMA President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, today called on the Federal Government to fully fund a nutrition education grant to every school in "; S2[16]=" Australia.
      'As Australian kids grow fatter, education about what makes healthy eating becomes increasingly important,' Dr Haikerwal said.
      'The "; S3[16]=" Government has a responsibility to help schools teach kids about good nutrition.' As part of Family Doctor Week, Dr Haikerwal visited a Brisbane primary school "; S4[16]=" today to emphasise the need for children to understand from an early age what makes up a healthy diet.
      'It's not a "; S5[16]=" matter of getting children counting calories, but rather the opportunity to teach them about all aspects of nutrition, from growing vegetables to being able to "; S6[16]=" identify what makes healthy food and why, and being able to prepare healthy meals,' he said.
      'Some schools have already made fantastic "; S7[16]=" efforts in the area of nutrition education, but many schools need additional help and funding to put nutrition education into practice.' In its 2006 Federal "; S8[16]=" Budget Submission, the AMA called for additional funding to support and assist community institutions, including schools, in offering better nutritional choices.
      "; S9[16]=" We propose that each school would have the chance to decide how to best use its nutrition funding,' Dr Haikerwal said.
      Possibilities "; S10[16]=" include developing a school vegetable garden, employing a dietician or chef to aid in revising canteen guidelines, holding cooking classes, or staging school-wide events such "; S11[16]=" as international food days or healthy cooking competitions.
      One idea already in practice in some schools is using the tactics of junk "; S12[16]=" food products to promote healthy choices at the tuckshop.
      Lunch-box sized servings, bright packaging and gimmicks are all ideas that school canteens "; S13[16]=" can use to make healthy foods cool, fun and engaging.
      Speaking at Kedron State School, where he launched AMA Queensland's new Kids "; S14[16]=" GP initiative to teach school children about nutrition, Dr Haikerwal said with proper funding, every school would be able to implement such strategies.
    "; S15[16]="   'Schools are wonderful places for kids to actively engage in learning about nutrition,' he said.
      'Now the government needs to "; S16[16]=" provide the help schools need to set their ideas in motion.'.. "; R[17]="1084"; T[17]="Opportunities for Aussie food in Japan and Taiwan"; A[17]="By ... Editor"; Dn[17]="20060713"; Dt[17]="Thursday 13 July 2006"; Acats[17]="a08a10a62a63"; B1[17]="      The increasing popularity of high end supermarkets coupled with food service industry demand in Japan and Taiwan is opening up export opportunities "; B2[17]="for Australian businesses and prompting Austrade to hold Australia-wide seminars... "; B3[17]=" "; B4[17]=" "; B5[17]=" "; S1[17]="      The increasing popularity of high end supermarkets coupled with food service industry demand in Japan and Taiwan is opening up export opportunities "; S2[17]=" for Australian businesses and prompting Austrade to hold Australia-wide seminars.
      Austrade's Osaka-based Senior Trade Commissioner, Michael Clifton said as far as Japan "; S3[17]=" is concerned export opportunities are growing as mid-to-high end supermarkets fuel demand for innovative and niche products.
      'There's a fast-paced retail culture "; S4[17]=" with rapid product turnover in Japan where an economic revival is well underway,' Mr Clifton said.
      'Japan has strong GDP growth of "; S5[17]=" two-to-three per cent and rising consumer confidence, which is often described as a consumer led recovery.' Austrade's Taiwan-based Senior Trade Commissioner, Jeff Turner said "; S6[17]=" the latest figures show Taiwan's food retail market grew by 4.3 per cent to reach a value of $24.3 billion.
      'Taiwan "; S7[17]=" has one of the highest per-capita food spends in the region, fuelled by high disposable incomes, low unemployment and a strong preference for convenient, healthy "; S8[17]=" and hygienic products,' Mr Turner said.
      'Hypermarket and convenience stores continue to grow in Taiwan, as consumers have come to expect "; S9[17]=" more choice and convenience for buying food.
      In addition, the increasingly ageing population will affect the food industry sector in Taiwan.
  "; S10[17]="     There'll be more online grocery shopping with home delivery services for the elderly.
      The home meal replacement sector is booming "; S11[17]=" and there's increasing interest in functional products with effects on anti-aging and other health benefits,' he said.
      Tasmania-based Cradle Mountain Honey, exports "; S12[17]=" its Leatherwood honey to Japan.
      Proprietor and part-founder of the company, Yeonsoon Bourke said the size of Japan's population of over 120 "; S13[17]=" million makes it a good export market.
      'We're presently selling our Leatherwood honey to three different markets in Japan.
    "; S14[17]="   One is a supermarket chain, the second is a niche gourmet outlet with internet sales and the third is a souvenir business,' Ms Bourke "; S15[17]=" said.
      'Without Austrade we wonder if our efforts to export would ever have reached fruition.
      Austrade has supported us "; S16[17]=" in Tasmania and has played an important part in the communication chain by liaising with customers in Japan and helping with Customs clearances.' Queensland-based Suncoast "; S17[17]=" Gold Macadamias is currently exporting to Taiwan's bakery industry.
      Sales Manager, Jeremy Roberts said long-term relationship building and good representation on the "; S18[17]=" ground in Taiwan has helped them secure a smooth running export arm of the business.
      'If you have a large customer base "; S19[17]=" in Taiwan it's very important to have a very tight supply chain, which we've developed,' Mr Roberts said.
      Japan food opportunities include: "; S20[17]=" Mango, cheese, confectionery, macadamia nuts and related products, jams, pates, beef and lamb, honey, juices, lobster, oysters, abalone, eucalyptus oil, citrus, dried fruit, potatoes, blueberry, "; S21[17]=" asparagus, onion, broccoli and lemon myrtle products.
      Wine exports to Japan have increased by value and volume.
      Taiwan food "; S22[17]=" opportunities include: Meat, beef, beef offal, lamb, goats meat (Australia is the number one supplier), seafood, lobster, abalone, spanner crab.
      Fruit including "; S23[17]=" kiwi, citrus, persimmon, tomato, apple, stone fruits, pear and table grapes.
      Dairy products and value-added dairy ingredients, liquid milk, fresh cheese and "; S24[17]=" ice cream.
      Also opportunities for packaged food and wine, particularly red wines, beer, juice, organic produce and organic food and beverage products.
"; S25[17]="       To register for Austrade's Japan and Taiwan Food & Beverage seminars visit www.austradeevents.com.au/japantaiwan2.
      The free seminars will feature an "; S26[17]=" update on business conditions, market trends and business opportunities in Japan and Taiwan.
      Participants are encouraged to bring along their products for "; S27[17]=" assessment by Austrade specialists.
      Seminar dates: Melbourne (31 July), Bendigo (1 August), Launceston (2 August), Sydney (3 August), Parramatta (4 August), "; S28[17]=" Perth (7 August), Margaret River (8 August), Adelaide (9 August), Brisbane (10 August), Bundaberg (11 August)... "; R[18]="1045"; T[18]="Test to expose fake leatherwood honey"; A[18]="By ... Editor"; Dn[18]="20060708"; Dt[18]="Saturday 8 July 2006"; Acats[18]="a10a31"; B1[18]="      Beekeepers are creating a standard that will define and protect Tasmania's unique leatherwood honey.... "; B2[18]=" "; B3[18]=" "; B4[18]=" "; B5[18]=" "; S1[18]="      Beekeepers are creating a standard that will define and protect Tasmania's unique leatherwood honey.
      The annual general meeting of "; S2[18]=" the Tasmanian Beekeepers' Association yesterday discussed plans for an appellation scheme as a way of legally protecting the state's flagship honey.
      "; S3[18]=" Association chairman Julian Wolfhagen said scientific research had already developed a minimum standard for the honey and a means of testing for it.
    "; S4[18]="   He said the minimum standard would guard against fakes.
      A standard for leatherwood honey would define the region from which the "; S5[18]=" honey was sourced and the way it was made.
      As well as maintaining the quality and name of the Tasmanian industry, the "; S6[18]=" move would offer consumers a guarantee they were buying leatherwood honey.
      Mr Wolfhagen said there had been concerns about rip-offs in the "; S7[18]=" past.
      Now that the scientific methods of testing the honey have been developed, yesterday's meeting looked at ways of going forward with "; S8[18]=" the legal protection.
      The annual general meeting continues in Launceston today... "; R[19]="1036"; T[19]="Lamb prices jump"; A[19]="By ... Editor"; Dn[19]="20060708"; Dt[19]="Saturday 8 July 2006"; Acats[19]="a10a25"; B1[19]="      All indicator grades of lambs lifted between 11¢ and 17¢/kg cwt, despite a 4% increase in saleyard throughput.... "; B2[19]=" "; B3[19]=" "; B4[19]=" "; B5[19]=" "; S1[19]="      All indicator grades of lambs lifted between 11¢ and 17¢/kg cwt, despite a 4% increase in saleyard throughput.
      Trade "; S2[19]=" and supermarket buyers provided strong competition, supporting a rise in price.
      The national restocker indicator settled at 329¢, trade lambs 366¢ and "; S3[19]=" heavy lambs finished at 351¢/kg cwt.
      Mutton also gained 2¢, to 203¢/kg cwt.
      The trend of smaller numbers at "; S4[19]=" MLA's NLRS reported saleyards was reversed, with national lamb throughput increasing marginally (by 4%).
      Lambs up to 22kg cwt are still dominating "; S5[19]=" yardings, as heavy lambs remain difficult to source both in physical markets and in direct consignments.
      This trend is expected to continue "; S6[19]=" for heavy lambs, and to a lesser extent trade weights, as winter progresses and in the lead up to the flush of new season lambs "; S7[19]=" in spring.
      As is to be expected for this time of year, quality is very mixed.
      Most light lambs "; S8[19]=" are 1 and 2 scores, with diminishing pasture supply impacting on lamb quality.
      Almost all of the well finished heavy lambs have "; S9[19]=" been supplementary fed, either in the form of irrigated pastures or paddock grain bins.
      Producers able to supplementary feed their lambs have "; S10[19]=" been rewarded.
      Prices for any of the better quality lots have sold to improved competition at most markets.
      Even "; S11[19]=" though one SA processor is on an annual maintenance break, demand was still strong in that state as buyers struggled to fill orders.
    "; S12[19]="   Price gains have not been limited to physical markets, with direct to works rates also improving this week.
      Nationally, slaughter lamb "; S13[19]=" prices lifted $1 to $8/head with isolated first cross extra heavy weights gaining over $10 with the majority over 26kg cwt averaging $109/head.
    "; S14[19]="   Restocker purchasing in most areas was more cautious than previous weeks as feed and water supplies remain low, resulting in the number of lambs "; S15[19]=" returning to the paddock falling 40% when compared to last week.
      Across all other indicator categories, prices lifted 10¢ to 17¢/kg "; S16[19]=" cwt, with the limited supply of good quality lots helping improve prices.
      Merino lambs lifted 10¢ to 303¢, while light lambs jumped "; S17[19]=" 17¢, to 310/kg cwt.
      Trade lambs reached 366¢ (up 15¢), while the heavy lambs mostly sold around 351¢ - a rise of "; S18[19]=" 11¢/kg cwt on last week.
      Mutton throughput at MLA's NLRS reported saleyards declined again this week, with ewes continuing to make up "; S19[19]=" the largest numbers.
      There was little change in quality compared to recent weeks and prices followed the trend of lambs, selling at "; S20[19]=" dearer prices for the better conditioned lines.
      Some of the leaner and lighter mutton experienced large falls as buyers mainly sought 3 "; S21[19]=" and 4 scores consignments.
      Nationally, the mutton indicator gained 2¢, to reach 203¢/kg.
      Live export prices for wethers in "; S22[19]=" WA mostly ranged from $52 to $54/head, while good demand for heavy rams saw most sell from $55 to $60/head... "; R[20]="1015"; T[20]="Australian scientists launch bold food-research project"; A[20]="By ... Editor"; Dn[20]="20060707"; Dt[20]="Friday 7 July 2006"; Acats[20]="a09a10a93"; B1[20]="      Australia's top scientific and nuclear research bodies launched a bold new project on Tuesday to investigate the atomic structure of human being's "; B2[20]="food, which may lead up to massive implications on future food... "; B3[20]=" "; B4[20]=" "; B5[20]=" "; S1[20]="      Australia's top scientific and nuclear research bodies launched a bold new project on Tuesday to investigate the atomic structure of human being's "; S2[20]=" food, which may lead up to massive implications on future food.
      Peter Lillford, a food scientist with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial "; S3[20]=" Research Organization (CSIRO), said the project could have massive health implications if researchers figure out how to modify ingredients to lessen the risk of disease.
"; S4[20]="       As many as 50 researchers will be working for the Sydney-based joint project of CSIRO and Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization.
"; S5[20]="       They will use a new nuclear reactor worth 220 million U.S.
      dollars and a technology called neutron scattering to "; S6[20]=" look at food materials 100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.
      Australian Associated Press on Tuesday quoted Lillford as "; S7[20]=" saying that the food Industry has been using hand lenses and lower power microscopes for too long, 'but these are really no good for seeing "; S8[20]=" inside what we eat.' He said the researchers will look at the common carbohydrate starch in particular and the role it plays in diabetes and "; S9[20]=" cancer.
      They are also interested in finding out the make-up of proteins, a key component in weight loss... "; R[21]="954"; T[21]="Omega-3 fish oil 'can treat ADHD'"; A[21]="By ... Editor"; Dn[21]="20060621"; Dt[21]="Wednesday 21 June 2006"; Acats[21]="a09a10"; B1[21]="      OMEGA-3 fish oil can be more effective than stimulant drugs commonly prescribed for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to "; B2[21]="new research... "; B3[21]=" "; B4[21]=" "; B5[21]=" "; S1[21]="      OMEGA-3 fish oil can be more effective than stimulant drugs commonly prescribed for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to "; S2[21]=" new research.
      The University of South Australia research tested a supplement called eye q, a combination of omega-3 fish oil and omega-6 "; S3[21]=" evening primrose oil.
      The supplement was tested on 132 ADHD children over a period of 15 to 30 weeks.
      "; S4[21]=" At the end of the 30 week period, almost half of the children had reduced ADHD symptoms, according to their parents who completed assessment questionnaires "; S5[21]=" for the study.
      For the initial 15 weeks of the study, children were divided into three groups: one taking eye q; another "; S6[21]=" eye q and a low dose multi vitamin/mineral supplement and; a third group taking a placebo.
      After 15 weeks, all children went "; S7[21]=" on eye q and the multi vitamin/minerals... "; R[22]="888"; T[22]="Food origin labelling standards come into effect"; A[22]="By ... Editor"; Dn[22]="20060609"; Dt[22]="Friday 9 June 2006"; Acats[22]="a10"; B1[22]="      From today it is compulsory for retailers to identify the country of origin of fresh food.... "; B2[22]=" "; B3[22]=" "; B4[22]=" "; B5[22]=" "; S1[22]="      From today it is compulsory for retailers to identify the country of origin of fresh food.
      Fresh fruit, vegetables, "; S2[22]=" nuts and seafood will have to be clearly labelled.
      Mike Redmond from the Virginia Horticulture Centre in South Australia says the industry "; S3[22]=" will now push for labelling of frozen, packaged and processed food.
      'Look it's about giving the consumer the right to choose "; S4[22]=" whether they're going to buy an Australian product and all the good things that go with that like all our food safety standards which are "; S5[22]=" some of the most rigorous in the world, and they get to choose,' Mr Redmond said.
      'So the further it goes through "; S6[22]=" the food industry the better in our opinion.'.. "; R[23]="795"; T[23]="Generic label threat grows"; A[23]="By ... Editor"; Dn[23]="20060601"; Dt[23]="Thursday 1 June 2006"; Acats[23]="a07a08a10"; B1[23]="      Bundaberg Sugar, already forced off the shelves in Coles supermarkets, is considering abandoning its brand altogether.... "; B2[23]=" "; B3[23]=" "; B4[23]=" "; B5[23]=" "; S1[23]="      Bundaberg Sugar, already forced off the shelves in Coles supermarkets, is considering abandoning its brand altogether.
      The state sugar "; S2[23]=" producer, with countless other Queensland food manufacturers, is facing the fight of its life to stay afloat during a private label onslaught.
      "; S3[23]=" Woolworths and Coles have been gradually introducing a range of house-brand products in the past year that is forcing brand names off the shelves.
  "; S4[23]="     While many food manufacturers diversify into supplying for house brands as a business strategy, some could be forced to rely solely on generic "; S5[23]=" brands for survival.
      Bundaberg Sugar general manager of sales and marketing Alan Mooney said its product lines were already pushed out of "; S6[23]=" Coles supermarkets when the retailer became exclusive to CSR Sugar and its own house brands five years ago.
      He said the sugar "; S7[23]=" industry was already swamped with home-brand alternatives.
      'Home brands already take a large slice of sugar sales in Australia,' Mr Mooney said.
"; S8[23]="       'We supply some generic labels and have done so for about 20 years but we are obviously focused on keeping the Bundaberg "; S9[23]=" brand strong if we can.' A survey released by AC Neilson in April showed the number of home-brand products consumers were buying accounted for 18 "; S10[23]=" per cent of their grocery basket, an increase from 2.3 per cent on 2002.
      The plan by Coles to reach 30 per "; S11[23]=" cent private label penetration by 2007 would translate into clearing three lanes out of 10 in each supermarket to make way for the in-house products.
"; S12[23]="       Newly elected Golden Circle chairman Ern Pope said Golden Circle previously had too much complacency in their brand strength - something the "; S13[23]=" company was working on changing as private labels took their stronghold.
      'Brands must be kept relevant, innovative, convenient and value for money "; S14[23]=" and Golden Circle are focused on that right now,' he said.
      Golden Circle supplies a small percentage of product to home brand "; S15[23]=" labels, but Mr Pope said it would continue only if it made sense for the company financially.
      'If we have the capacity "; S16[23]=" we work with retailers through supplying some product under other brands but we don't do it a lot.' Mr Pope said fears that Woolworths veteran "; S17[23]=" Mike Luscombe would vigorously push the company's private label roll-out into overdrive when he took over as chief executive in October were baseless.
    "; S18[23]="   Woolworths had been more 'pragmatic' about the private label roll-out than Coles,and he doubted Mr Luscombe would change strategy when he moved into the "; S19[23]=" CEO role.
      'They (Woolworths) are certainly pushing private labels, but they are not saying they have to get to 30 per cent "; S20[23]=" like Coles are,' Mr Pope said.
      Buderim Ginger chairman John Ruscoe said many food manufacturers were resigned to the fact they had "; S21[23]=" to work with major retailers to survive a private label takeover.
      The 60-year-old company had more than a dozen product lines sold "; S22[23]=" in major retailers and independent grocers, and would work with Woolworths and Coles throughout the private label phase in an effort to stay in business.
"; S23[23]="       'Obviously we have spent a lot of time and money building our brand and we want to see returns on that,' Mr "; S24[23]=" Ruscoe said.
      ' But we will work with the retailers and do whatever it takes, so if that means supplying our products "; S25[23]=" under their private label brands then so be it.' A major concern for Buderim Ginger was the possibility its products would be bypassed under home-brand "; S26[23]=" labels for cheaper imported ginger products in the private label roll-out.
      'We are the only Australian grown and processed ginger producers at "; S27[23]=" this time and we hope that means something to retailers and consumers,' Mr Ruscoe said.
      PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PwC) price inflation expert Billy "; S28[23]=" Bennett said weaker brands were in serious danger of disappearing and smaller manufacturers should focus on 'saving' one or two strong lines.
      "; S29[23]=" 'Sell off your weaker brands and align your strategy to focus on your top one or two brands,' Mr Bennett said.
      PwC "; S30[23]=" retail and consumer leader and company partner, Mike James said Coles and Woolworths had a strategy to lift their margins and profitability through private labels "; R[24]="782"; T[24]="Will pork fans take the bait?"; A[24]="By ... Editor"; Dn[24]="20060601"; Dt[24]="Thursday 1 June 2006"; Acats[24]="a10a29"; B1[24]="      Pigs fed on fish could become an alternative source of omega-3 for people who dislike seafood.... "; B2[24]=" "; B3[24]=" "; B4[24]=" "; B5[24]=" "; S1[24]="      Pigs fed on fish could become an alternative source of omega-3 for people who dislike seafood.
      University of South "; S2[24]=" Australia researchers have started recruiting volunteers to eat the nutrient-rich pork five days a week for 12 weeks.
      Its Nutritional Physiology "; S3[24]=" Research Centre is studying the benefits of eating pork from pigs fed fishmeal high in omega-3 fatty acids.
      Fish is the only "; S4[24]=" source of long-chain omega-3, which has more nutritional benefits than short-chain sources, such as vegetables.
      The trial will be focused on "; S5[24]=" the effect the additional omega-3 fatty acids have on improving cardiovascular risk factors.
      Centre director Professor Peter Howe said most people "; S6[24]=" only received one third of their daily recommended intake of omega-3 fatty acids, because of the price or accessibility of fatty fish.
      "; S7[24]=" For women, the recommended intake is 400mg a day, while men require 600mg.
      'We know not everybody is keen on "; S8[24]=" fish, not everyone is keen on pork, but the more alternative options we have to deliver better nutrients in our diet, the more likely we "; S9[24]=" are to achieve the recommended nutrient intakes,' Professor Howe said.
      The 12-week trial is a result of 12 years of work by "; S10[24]=" Professor Howe and will investigate how much omega-3 is absorbed into the bloodstream and whether that impacts on blood fat levels.
      "; S11[24]=" The omega-3 enriched pork has been processed into sausages, steak, stir-fry meat, mince and diced pork.
      The centre still needs several volunteers "; S12[24]=" to take part in the trial and eat five pork meals each week.
      Interested participants should be aged between 18 and "; S13[24]=" 60, in good health, willing to eat pork for 12 weeks and be able to provide a blood sample once a fortnight at the university... "; R[25]="777"; T[25]="From Outback gardens - a bushtucker pie"; A[25]="By ... Editor"; Dn[25]="20060526"; Dt[25]="Friday 26 May 2006"; Acats[25]="a10a55a78"; B1[25]="      The newest offering on Australia's rapidly expanding bush food menu is that most traditional of dishes - a pie.... "; B2[25]=" "; B3[25]=" "; B4[25]=" "; B5[25]=" "; S1[25]="      The newest offering on Australia's rapidly expanding bush food menu is that most traditional of dishes - a pie.
      "; S2[25]=" The first batch of 20,000 bushfoods and beef pies was made yesterday at Vili's and are expected to be in shops from next week.
  "; S3[25]="     Vili's new healthy pie, which features produce grown in Aboriginal-owned bushfood gardens, is the brainchild of South-East woman Gail Quarmby after despairing "; S4[25]=" at the diet of Aboriginal workers at the community-run gardens.
      The new pie provides a healthy food for Aboriginal communities and a "; S5[25]=" way of making money.
      'This specific project came about because when we were working in the AP Lands, the young men only "; S6[25]=" ate these horrible fatty Victorian pies and cans of Coke,' Mrs Quarmby said.
      'We've been supplying Vili's with bulk bush foods for "; S7[25]=" several years and for a long time, I've been asking him for help.
      When we told him the facts about the poor "; S8[25]=" nutrition, poor health and lack of jobs in Aboriginal communities, he agreed to help.' The low fat, low salt, high fibre pies are made "; S9[25]=" partly from desert raisins, wattle seed and fresh saltbush grown at the gardens... "; R[26]="716"; T[26]="Good oils now in health guidelines"; A[26]="By ... Editor"; Dn[26]="20060518"; Dt[26]="Thursday 18 May 2006"; Acats[26]="a09a10a93"; B1[26]="      Guidelines published by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing endorse efforts by the Food Futures Flagship to develop sustainable sources of "; B2[26]="Omega-3 oils... "; B3[26]=" "; B4[26]=" "; B5[26]=" "; S1[26]="      Guidelines published by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing endorse efforts by the Food Futures Flagship to develop sustainable sources of "; S2[26]=" Omega-3 oils.
      The health benefits associated with consuming Omega-3 oils have been highlighted in a new Federal Government guide to the nutritional "; S3[26]=" values of foods.
      According to the Director of CSIRO's Food Futures Flagship, Dr Bruce Lee, the Department of Health and Ageing's guide "; S4[26]=" to Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand (NRVs) endorses the Flagship's efforts to develop sustainable sources of long-chain Omega-3 oils.
      "; S5[26]=" 'With the need for people to increase their daily intake of long-chain Omega-3 oils, the Flagship welcomes the new NRV guidelines,' Dr Lee says.
  "; S6[26]="     Nutritional authorities suggest a dietary target of at least 430mg for women and 610mg for men of long-chain Omega-3, including EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) "; S7[26]=" and DHA (docosa-hexaenoic acid), to reduce the risk of chronic disease.
      Dietary surveys show that most Australians consume a fraction of this "; S8[26]=" amount.
      'With the need for people to increase their daily intake of long-chain Omega-3 oils, the Flagship welcomes the new NRV guidelines.' "; S9[26]=" - Dr Bruce Lee The health benefits of Omega-3 oils have been known for many years.
      Dr Mahinda Abeywardena, principal scientist with "; S10[26]=" the Food Futures Flagship says: 'It is 30 years since the original observation that diets high in long-chain Omega-3 oils may be associated with cardiovascular "; S11[26]=" health benefits.
      'In addition to a wealth of supporting evidence for this claim, current knowledge also assigns several other benefits of Omega-3 "; S12[26]=" oils including foetal and early childhood growth and development, anti-inflammatory as well as possible benefits on neuropsychiatric disorders - cognition, Alzheimer's disease, mood and depression.' "; S13[26]=" Making these valuable oils more readily available to the community is a major research project for the Flagship.
      In a world first, "; S14[26]=" the Flagship recently developed land-based plants that produce DHA - a healthy Omega-3 oil component normally only available from fish sources.
      'The "; S15[26]=" Food Futures Flagship is committed on a number of research fronts to developing new and sustainable sources of Omega-3 oils,' Dr Lee says.
    "; S16[26]="   'Showing that plants can produce DHA in their seeds is a major scientific accomplishment.
      It is an important first step towards "; S17[26]=" improving human nutrition and reducing pressure on declining fish resources worldwide.' In tandem with its research to produce Omega-3 oils in crops, the Flagship is "; S18[26]=" also assessing oil-rich marine microalgae for their commercial potential.
      Marine microalgae - the natural Omega-3 factories of the sea - are the "; S19[26]=" source of Omega-3 oils found in fish... "; R[27]="712"; T[27]="Wheatgrass doesn't live up to hype"; A[27]="By ... Editor"; Dn[27]="20060518"; Dt[27]="Thursday 18 May 2006"; Acats[27]="a10"; B1[27]="      Wheatgrass juice may not be quite the tonic that many people think, according to a review that finds little evidence for many "; B2[27]="of its health claims... "; B3[27]=" "; B4[27]=" "; B5[27]=" "; S1[27]="      Wheatgrass juice may not be quite the tonic that many people think, according to a review that finds little evidence for many "; S2[27]=" of its health claims.
      The review, published in the Australian Consumers' Association Choice magazine, concludes that while wheatgrass has some nutritional value, "; S3[27]=" it's no miracle drink.
      The review found only 'limited supporting evidence' for claims of the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties of wheatgrass and "; S4[27]=" little confirmation for claims it builds red blood cells and improves circulation and tissue oxygenation.
      Wheatgrass juice is made of the pulped "; S5[27]=" shoots of grasses from the genus Agropyron, is a relative of wheat and has become a staple of juice bars.
      Marketers and "; S6[27]=" enthusiasts say the benefits of this dark green juice range from purifying blood to preventing cancer and making your faeces less smelly.
      "; S7[27]=" 'It's certainly not bad for you, but the claims that are made are perhaps a lot of hype without any real evidence,' says Viola Korczak, "; S8[27]=" health policy officer at the Australian Consumers' Association.
      She says larger, controlled clinical trials are needed.
      What the research "; S9[27]=" says Choice reviewed the available scientific research on wheatgrass juice, including botanical studies, animal studies and a dozen small human trials.
      It "; S10[27]=" found there are more vitamins and minerals, including calcium, vitamin C and folic acid, in 30 grams of cooked spinach, broccoli or a garden salad "; S11[27]=" than in a shot of wheatgrass juice.
      Some reports link wheatgrass to improvements in eczema, fractures, burns, osteoarthritis and skin cancer, but "; S12[27]=" it is unclear whether wheatgrass is directly responsible, the review says.
      Other studies report that the green pigment chlorophyll, which makes "; S13[27]=" up 70% of wheatgrass juice, shares molecular similarities with haemoglobin.
      But this doesn't mean it enhances red blood cell production.
    "; S14[27]="   'As far as evidence goes, there's little to be found,' the report concludes.
      A study of 16 patients with the blood "; S15[27]=" disorder beta thalassaemia found wheatgrass juice reduced transfusions in half but not the other half.
      Meanwhile, experiments in labs and on animals "; S16[27]=" showed wheatgrass may work against genetic mutations, Choice says, largely because of the antioxidant activity of some of its compounds, such as flavonoids.
    "; S17[27]="   But there's no evidence for humans and 'there's nothing to substantiate claims that wheatgrass can help dissolve tumours', the report says.
      "; S18[27]=" Too early to write off wheatgrass juice Professor Marc Cohen, president of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association and head of complementary medicine at RMIT University, "; S19[27]=" says it's too early to write off wheatgrass juice He says it's a minimally processed wholefood with high levels of phytochemicals, which play a role "; S20[27]=" in growth signalling in plants and are associated with reduced blood pressure, reduced cholesterol and cancer prevention in humans.
      'You want to "; S21[27]=" be eating wholefoods so you get as many phytonutrients as possible,' he says.
      Dr Peter Clifton, head of CSIRO's nutrition clinic, says "; S22[27]=" wheatgrass is 'very trendy ...
      but it probably isn't any different from any other type of grass'.
      He says "; S23[27]=" it may have more polyphenolics, a type of phytochemical, because it is an actively growing plant.
      This may account for one studying "; S24[27]=" showing 100 millilitres of wheatgrass a day over a month reduced symptoms of ulcerative colitis, he says.
      He says claims about the "; S25[27]=" health benefits of wheatgrass have been around for decades but the evidence is still lacking.
      'I guess the wheatgrass juice industry should "; S26[27]=" put its money where its mouth is and test the level of polyphenolics,' he says... "; R[28]="665"; T[28]="Brisbane chefs forge networks with leading Sunshine Coast producers"; A[28]="By ... Editor"; Dn[28]="20060410"; Dt[28]="Monday 10 April 2006"; Acats[28]="a08a10"; B1[28]="      A number of leading Sunshine Coast primary producers now have a significant opportunity to have their food served in Brisbane restaurants following "; B2[28]="the Savour the Sunshine event held on the Sunshine Coast this week... "; B3[28]=" "; B4[28]=" "; B5[28]=" "; S1[28]="      A number of leading Sunshine Coast primary producers now have a significant opportunity to have their food served in Brisbane restaurants following "; S2[28]=" the Savour the Sunshine event held on the Sunshine Coast this week.
      Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries regional director south east "; S3[28]=" Craig Mathisen said over a dozen innovative and unique products from Sunshine Coast primary producers were keenly sampled by visiting Brisbane chefs and restaurateurs at "; S4[28]=" the Savour the Sunshine luncheon held on Monday at the DPI&F's Maroochy Research Station, Nambour.
      'Savour the Sunshine which was held as "; S5[28]=" part of this week's Primary Industries Week activities was a successful, high level gathering of coast producers and Brisbane food industry and restaurant representatives which "; S6[28]=" highlighted a select sampling of the wonderful and refreshing produce coming out of the region,' Mr Mathisen said.
      The day began with "; S7[28]=" farm visits at Bethonga pines at Wamuran and John Templeton's Ginger farm at Eumundi before tour participants gathered at Maroochy Research Station to sample creations "; S8[28]=" by Noosa based chef Matt Golinski.
      'The day was a huge success in allowing participants to forge networking links between producers "; S9[28]=" and leading Brisbane restaurants.
      The early feedback from the event indicates that not only were there very useful contacts made but there "; S10[28]=" was also great enthusiasm for the coast's produce to be put before eager Brisbane diners to experience new tastes and textures.
      "; S11[28]=" The visiting chefs sampled a wide variety of foods including prime rib fillet from Gympie's Nolan's Meats, seafood from Spanner Crabs Noosa, Kenilworth Cheese, prawns "; S12[28]=" from Bullock Creek Prawn Farm, redclaw from Yandina's Paul Moriarty, jade perch from Bundaleer Barra at Kenilworth and gourmet tomatoes from Noosa Reds and capped "; S13[28]=" off with native rainforest fruits from Martha Shepherds Galeru business at Eumundi.
      Food consultant Alison Alexander was DPI&F's host on the "; S14[28]=" day and she applauded the broad range and high quality products presented to the tour participants and invited guests... "; R[29]="633"; T[29]="Row brews over food market code"; A[29]="By ... Editor"; Dn[29]="20060324"; Dt[29]="Friday 24 March 2006"; Acats[29]="a04a08a10"; B1[29]="      The Federal Government is preparing to break an election commitment to give fruit and vegetable growers more clout when negotiating with supermarket "; B2[29]="chains, in a move set to inflame National Party tensions... "; B3[29]=" "; B4[29]=" "; B5[29]=" "; S1[29]="      The Federal Government is preparing to break an election commitment to give fruit and vegetable growers more clout when negotiating with supermarket "; S2[29]=" chains, in a move set to inflame National Party tensions.
      A new mandatory code of conduct for the fruit and vegetable industry "; S3[29]=" will be considered by cabinet within weeks, but large supermarket chains such as Woolworths and Coles, which buy about 70 per cent of Australia's farm "; S4[29]=" produce, will not be covered.
      The exclusion of the supermarkets comes despite a Nationals promise during the 2004 election campaign to enforce "; S5[29]=" new rules giving growers fairer terms of trade when negotiating with buyers, 'which are in many instances large supermarket chains'.
      'It demonstrates "; S6[29]=" the Nationals' commitment … to providing a fair deal for primary producers and small businesses in regional Australia,' then Nationals leader John Anderson said at "; S7[29]=" the time.
      The apparent backdown is likely to exacerbate tensions within the Nationals and further alienate their supporters.
      The "; S8[29]=" proposal, being taken to cabinet by Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran, is expected to be poorly received by Nationals senators Barnaby Joyce and Ron Boswell, who "; S9[29]=" have called for measures to slash the market dominance of Coles and Woolworths.
      'That level of market monopoly isn't allowed anywhere in "; S10[29]=" the free world and it shouldn't be allowed here,' Senator Joyce said.
      Some Queensland growers are reportedly warning they will not support "; S11[29]=" the Nationals at the next election if they are not satisfied with the mandatory code.
      Central Markets Association of Australia spokesman Andrew "; S12[29]=" Young said the policy 'could blow up in the Nationals' face', warning it would cost money and achieve nothing.
      'The code is "; S13[29]=" going to fall far short of what people expected it to be,' Mr Young said.
      'It's only going to cover part of "; S14[29]=" the industry … and it's going to be an anti-competitive outcome.
      'There are a lot of growers saying there should be one "; S15[29]=" code covering the entire industry or no code at all, yet minister McGauran seems hell-bent on pushing ahead with it.' Government insiders said the code "; S16[29]=" was likely to cost the industry about $15 million.
      National Farmers Federation vice-president Charles Burke said the code was only ever intended "; S17[29]=" to cover selling arrangements between wholesalers and producers, not retailers.
      He said growers were often unsure about whether they were dealing with "; S18[29]=" agents on-selling products or genuine wholesalers, with the growers bearing most of the risk.
      'The primary aim is to put some clarity "; S19[29]=" into contractual arrangements between produce growers and agents or merchants,' Mr Burke said... "; R[30]="631"; T[30]="Tropical food puts far north Queensland on the map"; A[30]="By ... DPI"; Dn[30]="20060317"; Dt[30]="Friday 17 March 2006"; Acats[30]="a10a53a54"; B1[30]="      A passion for tropical north Queensland produce is all you need to celebrate the Feast of the Senses in Innisfail.... "; B2[30]=" "; B3[30]=" "; B4[30]=" "; B5[30]=" "; S1[30]="      A passion for tropical north Queensland produce is all you need to celebrate the Feast of the Senses in Innisfail.
    "; S2[30]="   To complement this year's event, now in its third year, is the Tropical Foods Forum at the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries' South "; S3[30]=" Johnstone Research Station on Saturday, March 18.
      Forum coordinator Nola Craig, Australian Tropical Foods marketing manager with the Cairns Region Economic development "; S4[30]=" Corporation, said the forum could be the springboard for the future development of the food industry in tropical north Queensland.
      'We hope "; S5[30]=" for a collaborative approach in focusing on how we can further the industry,' Ms Craig said.
      'For example, chefs and consumers are "; S6[30]=" becoming more discerning about the primary produce they use and their input into what they would like farmers to grow is important.
      "; S7[30]=" 'This trend is already occurring down south.
      'We need to focus on value-adding opportunities as well to help the sustainability of farms "; S8[30]=" and to meet consumer demand.
      'This will develop capacity which in turn will lead to export markets.
      It is "; S9[30]=" important that we be aware of the trends be prepared to market our products effectively.' The stellar line-up of guest speakers at the forum comprises "; S10[30]=" chef and TV food and wine presenter Peter Howard, food consultant Alison Alexander and Food South Australia project manager Annabel Mugford.
      Mr "; S11[30]=" Howard, who played a key role at the inaugural Feast of the Senses in 2004, will speak on consumer expections; Ms Alexander on 'Regional Flavours' "; S12[30]=" and Ms Mugford will discuss how South Australia developed its food regions.
      'Their talks will offer their views on the food and "; S13[30]=" wine tourism potential for tropical north Queensland,' Ms Craig said.
      The afternoon session will feature grassroots achievers who are already adding value "; S14[30]=" successfully to Queensland produce.
      They include: ' Martha Shepherd (Queensland Rural Woman of the Year 2006) - Ms Shepherd's business, Galeru on "; S15[30]=" the Sunshine Coast hinterland, produces fruit sauces and gourmet bakery products.
      She believes producers on small farms could join forces in an "; S16[30]=" innovative way to value-add and market their products.
      ' Marianne Cody (proprietor, Tin Fork, Runaway Dish, Mena Creek) - Ms Cody's "; S17[30]=" boutique dining restaurant focuses on regional foods and recipes using exotic and native fruits in various ways.
     
      "; S18[30]=" * Kerry Jonsson (Jervoise Organic Meat, Tully) -Ms Jonsson, a Greenvale district grazier, established her organic meat processing plant in Tully last year.
    "; S19[30]="   It is the first privately owned, certified organic plant in north Queensland.
     
      * Bood Hickson (Network "; S20[30]=" for Sustainable and Diversified Agriculture) - Mr Hickson's family operates a diverse farming enterprise, Ballintaggart, on the Atherton Tablelands and sits on many industry body "; S21[30]=" executives.
     
      * A panel discussion will follow each session with a workshop to be conducted afterwards where "; S22[30]=" participants will be invited to have their say in developing an action plan for the future of north Queensland's food industry... "; R[31]="618"; T[31]="High-powered food, agribusiness council meets on Sunshine Coast"; A[31]="By ... Editor"; Dn[31]="20060310"; Dt[31]="Friday 10 March 2006"; Acats[31]="a10a53a54"; B1[31]="      The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries' (DPI&F) Queensland Food, Fibre and Agribusiness Council (QFFAC) will meet on the Sunshine Coast today.... "; B2[31]=" "; B3[31]=" "; B4[31]=" "; B5[31]=" "; S1[31]="      The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries' (DPI&F) Queensland Food, Fibre and Agribusiness Council (QFFAC) will meet on the Sunshine Coast today.
"; S2[31]="       QFFAC executive chair and DPI&F Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Joe Baker AC, CBE said QFFAC is chaired by DPI&F Director-General Jim Varghese, "; S3[31]=" who has just returned from the international Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAC) in Rome to share with the council information on world priorities in food "; S4[31]=" and agribusiness.
      QFFAC will review information on major projects at the world-renowned DPI&F Maroochy Research Station, at Nambour at 8:30am, before convening "; S5[31]=" at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
      Professor Baker said QFFAC advises the Queensland Government through DPI&F on strategic priorities in food, "; S6[31]=" fibre and agribusiness which will generate significant investment opportunities and economic benefits for Queensland and facilitate alliances with research and business organisations in Australia and "; S7[31]=" overseas.
      Under DPI&F's vision of profitable primary industries for Queensland, it has targeted 4.4% per annum growth in the gross value of "; S8[31]=" production of the State's primary industries until 2010-11.
      The Sunshine Coast area has high potential for expanding its food, fibre and agribusiness "; S9[31]=" enterprises on the land and in the sea QFFAC engages in holistic analyses of potential developments, drawing on a very diverse membership of experts, including: "; S10[31]=" · Centre for Rural and Regional Innovation - Queensland Associate · Professor Janelle Allison (Gatton) · Roma region primary producer and former president of the "; S11[31]=" Cattlemen's Union of Australia Jock Douglas AC · KNCDE Partnership principal Dr Laurie Hammond · Horticulture Nursery industry leader John Hawkins · Businesswoman specialising in "; S12[31]=" intellectual property Dr Deborah Kuchler · ABC TV's Landline Executive Producer Kerry Lonergan · Dalby region cotton, grain and aquaculture producer Paul McVeigh · Queensland "; S13[31]=" Wine Industry Association President and South Burnett vineyard owner Maryanne Pidcock · Griffith University's Eskitis Institute Director of Natural Product Discovery Professor Ron Quinn and "; S14[31]=" · Townsville Enterprise Limited Chief Executive Officer Glenys Schuntner... "; R[32]="616"; T[32]="Feast of the Senses Market Day Extravaganza offers a taste of the north"; A[32]="By ... Editor"; Dn[32]="20060310"; Dt[32]="Friday 10 March 2006"; Acats[32]="a10a54"; B1[32]="      Delectable sun-drenched fruits both familiar and rare, mouth-watering beef cuts and a range of value-added products are just a couple of reasons "; B2[32]="why the 2006 Feast of the Senses market Day Extravaganza is expected to be another huge success... "; B3[32]=" "; B4[32]=" "; B5[32]=" "; S1[32]="      Delectable sun-drenched fruits both familiar and rare, mouth-watering beef cuts and a range of value-added products are just a couple of reasons "; S2[32]=" why the 2006 Feast of the Senses market Day Extravaganza is expected to be another huge success.
      An initiative of Department of "; S3[32]=" Primary Industries and Fisheries, the market day is a celebration of the delicious north and the tropical expertise of producers and businesses.
      "; S4[32]=" Innisfail's Central Business District will be the venue for this year's markets on Sunday, March 19.
      'The day will feature a broad "; S5[32]=" range of produce, food and drink stalls, tropical art and crafts, lectures, free tastings of exotic tropical fruits and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs,' said "; S6[32]=" coordinator Sonya Long from the DPI&F's South Johnstone Research Station.
      'An Eco Expo will be held in Johnstone Shire Hall to inform "; S7[32]=" people on the ecological and economic benefits of energy-efficient house design.' The market day has come a long way in such a short time.
  "; S8[32]="     The markets at the inaugural Feast of the Senses in 2004 were held on a sunny March weekend and attracted some 2500 people.
"; S9[32]="       Word of mouth was so positive that 4500 people braved torrential rain and overcast skies to make last year's markets at the "; S10[32]=" TAFE a success.
      Organisers are confident, with the mounting strong community support, to top this in 2006.
      'This year's "; S11[32]=" venue reflects not just the feast's growth, but the confidence local businesses, community groups and local residents in this annual event,' Ms Long said.
  "; S12[32]="     'The key to our success, we believe, is the fact that the things we want to promote and celebrate are right here in "; S13[32]=" north Queensland.
      'Every region of north Queensland has something special to offer - not only primary produce, but value-added products.
    "; S14[32]="   'DPI&F's vision is profitable primary industries for Queensland, so value-adding is very important to us.
      'We expect stallholders to come from "; S15[32]=" as far as Mossman, Cairns, Tully, Babinda, Mission Beach, Silkwood and Atherton Tablelands.
      'A contingent of producers from Cooktown will be attending "; S16[32]=" this year's Feast of the Senses to look at how they can share in this annual event.'.. "; R[33]="557"; T[33]="Challenges and prospects for the seafood industry"; A[33]="By ... Editor"; Dn[33]="20060302"; Dt[33]="Thursday 2 March 2006"; Acats[33]="a08a10a83"; B1[33]="      The OUTLOOK 2006 session discussing challenges and prospects for the Australian seafood industry was opened in Canberra today by Senator the Honorable "; B2[33]="Eric Abetz, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation... "; B3[33]=" "; B4[33]=" "; B5[33]=" "; S1[33]="      The OUTLOOK 2006 session discussing challenges and prospects for the Australian seafood industry was opened in Canberra today by Senator the Honorable "; S2[33]=" Eric Abetz, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation.
      ABARE speaker Peter Gooday described to delegates the current economic situation the Australian fishing "; S3[33]=" industry finds itself in.
      Edmund Barton Building Macquarie Street Barton ACT 2600 'Recent movements in fuel prices and exchange rates have shown "; S4[33]=" how susceptible the Australian fishing industry is to changes in variables that are outside the control of managers and fishers.
      However, for "; S5[33]=" many fisheries the key to lowering costs will be implementing effective fisheries management.' Mr Gooday reported that despite the present low profitability of many wildcaught "; S6[33]=" fisheries, the outlook is brighter.
      'The value of fisheries production is forecast to increase to $2.15 billion in 2005-06, and this is "; S7[33]=" likely to increase further over the medium term as the Australian dollar weakens and export markets grow.' Favorable movements in key variables will coincide with "; S8[33]=" new management arrangements for many fisheries.
      Paula Shoulder, AFMA, outlined the short to medium terms objectives of the management authority following the "; S9[33]=" unprecedented Government directive of December 2005 to improve the ecological and economic viability of fisheries resources.
      'We must move quickly to address "; S10[33]=" overfishing and minimise the impacts of fishing on the marine environment.
      The cornerstone of our approach to sustainability is the development and "; S11[33]=" implementation of a Commonwealth Harvest Strategy Policy with clearly defined targets and reference points,' Ms Shoulder told delegates.
      Ms Shoulder warned delegates "; S12[33]=" to expect the new management arrangements to be 'fairly confronting for the commercial fishing industry, not only in regards to the changes to fishing practices "; S13[33]=" and possible reduction in catch levels, but also because the timeframe is expected to be relatively short.' Uncertainty about the state of Australia's fishing industry "; S14[33]=" makes lending to some fishers difficult for banks, according to Bill Cordingley, Rabobank.
      'Forecasting production, sales and profits in fisheries is hard "; S15[33]=" because these tend to highly variable and contingent on so many things.' Mr Cordingley also identified the lack of strong asset backing in some fisheries "; S16[33]=" as causing concerns about loan security for banks.
      Mr Tony Smith, CSIRO, outlined the recently developed Harvest Strategy Framework and its application "; S17[33]=" in the southern and eastern scalefish and shark fishery saying it 'provides much more certainty in the decision making process, improves incentives for industry to "; S18[33]=" reduce discards, and also provides a clearer incentive structure for investment in monitoring and research.'.. "; R[34]="531"; T[34]="Fruit and veges not high on menu"; A[34]="By ... Editor"; Dn[34]="20060224"; Dt[34]="Friday 24 February 2006"; Acats[34]="a08a10a17a18"; B1[34]="      Only 7 per cent of Queenslanders eat the recommended daily amounts of vegetables, and just over half eat enough fruit, according to "; B2[34]="new research... "; B3[34]=" "; B4[34]=" "; B5[34]=" "; S1[34]="      Only 7 per cent of Queenslanders eat the recommended daily amounts of vegetables, and just over half eat enough fruit, according to "; S2[34]=" new research.
      Nutritionists say the recommended daily amounts should be five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit.
      "; S3[34]=" A serve is equivalent to a cup of salad vegetables, half a cup of cooked vegetables, a medium potato or a piece of fruit.
  "; S4[34]="     Research by Queensland Health and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show half of adults are eating the recommended amount of fruit, "; S5[34]=" while only 7 per cent of people are eating the recommended amount of vegetables.
      Dieticians Association of Australia executive director Claire Hewat "; S6[34]=" said getting people to eat more vegetables was the single most important nutrition message in Australia today... "; R[35]="519"; T[35]="Invitation to Australian Food & Beverage Businesses"; A[35]="By ... Editor"; Dn[35]="20060224"; Dt[35]="Friday 24 February 2006"; Acats[35]="a05a08a10"; B1[35]="      A joint initiative to help Australian food and beverage suppliers become a part of the rapidly expanding global halal food trade, currently "; B2[35]="worth $204 billion has been launched by the Australian and Brunei Governments... "; B3[35]=" "; B4[35]=" "; B5[35]=" "; S1[35]="      A joint initiative to help Australian food and beverage suppliers become a part of the rapidly expanding global halal food trade, currently "; S2[35]=" worth $204 billion has been launched by the Australian and Brunei Governments.
      Austrade's Regional Director, SE Asia, South Asia and the Pacific, "; S3[35]=" David Twine said a series of industry briefings will be held around Australia to help identify suitable Australian suppliers (seminar details below).
      "; S4[35]=" 'The combined effort between Austrade and the Brunei Government has been developed to help Australian businesses identify whether their food and beverages are suitable "; S5[35]=" for global halal consumption according to Brunei's stringent halal certification standards,' Mr Twine said.
      'With about 22 per cent of the "; S6[35]=" world's population being Muslim, around 1.9 billion people, and growing at close to 2.9 per cent each year, the halal consumer segment is well worth "; S7[35]=" pursuing.
      'The halal sector presents enormous scope for Australian food and beverage companies and Austrade is helping to position Australian companies "; S8[35]=" to leverage our existing capability and global reputation to translate these opportunities into sustainable business growth,' he said.
      Presently, the two strongest "; S9[35]=" markets for halal products are South East Asia and the Middle East.
      These regions represent over 400 million Muslim consumers, but marketing "; S10[35]=" efforts to supply certified halal products throughout these regions in a consistent manner are still evolving.
      It is worth noting that there "; S11[35]=" are many Islamic consumers with high disposable incomes in the USA and European markets also.
      This bilateral initiative aims to introduce "; S12[35]=" a new premium market segment to halal consumers by combining the highly respected Brunei halal credentials with Australia's 'clean and green' international food reputation.
  "; S13[35]="     An Australian company with extensive experience in international marketing and Islamic commerce, Bayliss Associates of Sydney, has been contracted to project manage the "; S14[35]=" initiative on behalf of the Brunei Government.
      Australian food and beverage producers of quality processed foods (including for example cereal-based products, such "; S15[35]=" as biscuits, snack foods, confectionary, jams, baby foods, dairy products and non-alcoholic beverages) are invited to a briefing on the project, and register their interest "; S16[35]=" in being involved commercially... "; R[36]="514"; T[36]="Cleaner, safer food for Queensland"; A[36]="By ... Editor"; Dn[36]="20060223"; Dt[36]="Thursday 23 February 2006"; Acats[36]="a10a66"; B1[36]="      In a bid to ensure the fruit you're eating is as safe and healthy as possible, the Department of Primary Industries and "; B2[36]="Fisheries (DPI&F) has commissioned cutting-edge technology which will allow scientists to look for minute levels of chemical and toxins in fruit, vegetables and meat... "; B3[36]=" "; B4[36]=" "; B5[36]=" "; S1[36]="      In a bid to ensure the fruit you're eating is as safe and healthy as possible, the Department of Primary Industries and "; S2[36]=" Fisheries (DPI&F) has commissioned cutting-edge technology which will allow scientists to look for minute levels of chemical and toxins in fruit, vegetables and meat.
  "; S3[36]="     Based at the DPI&F Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory at Yeerongpilly, the new Liquid Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (LCMS) will assist scientists to identify unhealthy levels of "; S4[36]=" antibiotics, plant toxins and pesticides in meat and horticultural produce and to identify chemical levels less than one part per billion.
      The "; S5[36]=" DPI&F Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory is now one of the only places in Australia to have the technology and according to Dr Sandra Baxendell DPI&F General "; S6[36]=" Manager (Chemical Use and Food Safety Program) the new device will strengthen Queensland's reputation as a provider of environmentally-friendly, safe food.
      'Trading "; S7[36]=" partners around the world already see Queensland as a provider of clean, green and reliable produce, and this investment in the latest technology shows that "; S8[36]=" DPI&F is very serious about maintaining this hard-earned image,' Dr Baxendell said.
      'With this new technology, our scientists can test for chemical "; S9[36]=" levels below those allowed by Australian legislation and, importantly, that of our overseas trading partners, which means we'll be able to export produce that exceed "; S10[36]=" standards required,' she said.
      Through the DPI&F Biosecurity's Chemical Use and Food Safety Program, scientists have been busy raising awareness about safe "; S11[36]=" chemical and pesticide management on Queensland farms.
      'The new LCMS will provide yet another check and balance in keeping Queensland produce safe "; S12[36]=" and reliable for consumers and trading partners,' Dr Baxendell said... "; R[37]="488"; T[37]="Bridging the Gulf with Queensland food"; A[37]="By ... Editor"; Dn[37]="20060222"; Dt[37]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[37]="a10a66"; B1[37]="      Queensland food and beverage companies are gearing up for the leading trade exhibition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) kicking off in "; B2[37]="just a couple of weeks... "; B3[37]=" "; B4[37]=" "; B5[37]=" "; S1[37]="      Queensland food and beverage companies are gearing up for the leading trade exhibition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) kicking off in "; S2[37]=" just a couple of weeks.
      Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) senior trade and business officer Prue Tatt said this will "; S3[37]=" be a great opportunity for Queensland companies to showcase our quality products.
      'Gulf countries currently import 98% of their food and food "; S4[37]=" processing products and this offers terrific opportunities for Queensland food and beverage companies,' she said.
      The Gulfood Exhibition is the Middle East's "; S5[37]=" and Africa's primary business platform for food, beverage, food service and hospitality equipment.
      The exhibition will attract a major international contingent, including "; S6[37]=" leading producers from throughout Queensland.
      The Middle East is one of the world's richest trading hubs, with a large proportion (US$15.8 billion) "; S7[37]=" of products imported into the UAE being re-exported to other parts of the world.
      Queensland businesses can capitalise on their high-quality products "; S8[37]=" in this market by attending this significant regional trade show.
      Queensland will receive direct economic benefit from successful overseas marketing through increased "; S9[37]=" export sales and identification of business partners for potentially long-term trading relationships.
      More than 30,000 trade visitors from 127 countries are expected "; S10[37]=" in 2006, with most looking for new products and suppliers.
      'We are proud of the export companies we have in Queensland, and "; S11[37]=" are dedicated to profiling them on the world stage,' said Mrs Tatt.
      The Queensland delegation consists of 15 local firms involved in "; S12[37]=" the food and equipment industries, including the areas of fruit and vegetable produce, bakery items, tea, gourmet products, nuts, honey and confectionery.
      "; S13[37]=" Mission participants will have the opportunity to exhibit at Gulfood and attend events, networking with key food industry contacts in the UAE.
      "; S14[37]=" DPI&F continues to implement its strategy for profitable and sustainable development by assisting Queensland companies to access the international market through its business partnerships network.
"; S15[37]="       The Gulfood trade mission is held annually, and is a promising start to the year for Queensland's overseas exporting initiatives as part "; S16[37]=" of the Smart State Export Strategy.
      This year it will be held from 19 - 22 February 2006 in Dubai... "; R[38]="487"; T[38]="Natural Products - The growing global phenomenon"; A[38]="By ... Editor"; Dn[38]="20060222"; Dt[38]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[38]="a08a10a24a55"; B1[38]="      Global demand for natural products including functional foods and organics is currently undergoing exponential growth..... "; B2[38]=" "; B3[38]=" "; B4[38]=" "; B5[38]=" "; S1[38]="      Global demand for natural products including functional foods and organics is currently undergoing exponential growth.
      Market research in Switzerland "; S2[38]=" recently found that 80% of all purchases are influenced by health-related issues.
      Strong worldwide demand for natural products is being driven by "; S3[38]=" consumer need for assurance over the quality, integrity, health and safety in food products and a growing interest in improving lifestyle.
      To "; S4[38]=" capitalise on this growth area, a joint project was developed more than four years ago between the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) and "; S5[38]=" the Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation that has assisted companies to successfully build business networks with United Kingdom distributors and buyers.
    "; S6[38]="   Building on knowledge gained from the market research, the Natural Products UK project will focus on developing supply chains into the niche Health food/Natural "; S7[38]=" products segment of the UK market.
      Health and wellbeing concerns are a growing trend in Asia and the DPI&F is working closely "; S8[38]=" with Queensland companies to expand activities in these markets and capitalise on the growing demand.
      DPI&F is linking with the new National "; S9[38]=" Food Industry Strategy (NFIS) and Austrade project which is focused on expanding opportunities with major UK supermarkets.
      A highly successful seminar on "; S10[38]=" Natural Products was facilitated by Jacquie Bodger (Senior Trade and Investment Officer) on the Sunshine Coast in November 2005 followed by a joint meeting hosted "; S11[38]=" by DPI&F and NFIS which was attended by over 40 participants.
      There will be further seminars highlighting the market opportunities for the "; S12[38]=" natural products early this year.
      For details please contact Jacquie Bodger 323 93307 or email Jacquie.bodger@dpi.qld.gov.au... "; R[39]="460"; T[39]="A sensational feast offers a taste of the tropics"; A[39]="By ... Editor"; Dn[39]="20060222"; Dt[39]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[39]="a10a66"; B1[39]="      Foodies who ve enjoyed a long, hot summer may have developed a taste for succulent and sun-drenched tropical fruits, so why not "; B2[39]="travel to the fruit bowl of Far North Queensland to foodie festival heaven?.. "; B3[39]=" "; B4[39]=" "; B5[39]=" "; S1[39]="      Foodies who've enjoyed a long, hot summer may have developed a taste for succulent and sun-drenched tropical fruits, so why not travel "; S2[39]=" to the fruit bowl of Far North Queensland to foodie festival heaven? The vibrant town of Innisfail, just one hour's drive from Cairns, plays host "; S3[39]=" to the 'Feast of the Senses', a decadent tribute to the produce of the region.
      An initiative of Department of Primary Industries "; S4[39]=" and Fisheries Queensland and the Innisfail district community, the Feast of the Senses is a celebration of the delicious north and has become a major "; S5[39]=" event on the Queensland food tourism calendar.
      An integral part of the Feast of the Senses is the Market Day Extravaganza, a "; S6[39]=" sumptuous smorgasbord of stall holders selling everything from mangosteen to durian, hot taro chips, crocodile pies, jakfruit fritters and fruit wine to fresh pasta.
  "; S7[39]="     Another must-do is the Feast of the Senses gala dinner, which marks the start of annual Primary Industries Week celebrations.
      "; S8[39]=" Last year, chefs created a menu sourced entirely from local fare, including dishes such as crocodile ravioli entrée, a palate-cleansing purple mangosteen sorbet served in "; S9[39]=" the shell, Morganbury beef prime rib, lot-fed on the Atherton Tablelands, served with Silkwood-grown green peppercorn and Pacific Blue Saddle Port sauce on a bed "; S10[39]=" of Tablelands mashed potato, taro crisps and Tully-grown water chestnuts.
      The Feast of the Senses 2006 will be held from March 19 "; S11[39]=" to 25.
      For information on individual events see Feast of the Senses events listing... "; R[40]="431"; T[40]="Australian sheepmeat exports up to the Middle East and Africa"; A[40]="By ... Editor"; Dn[40]="20060222"; Dt[40]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[40]="a10a25"; B1[40]="      2005 saw a resurgence in Australian sheepmeat exports to both the Middle East and Africa.
      Australian lamb exports to "; B2[40]="the Middle East were up 36% for the year, to a record 14,052 tonnes sw, while mutton exports increased by 24% on 2004 levels, to "; B3[40]="36,051 tonnes sw... "; B4[40]=" "; B5[40]=" "; S1[40]="      2005 saw a resurgence in Australian sheepmeat exports to both the Middle East and Africa.
      Australian lamb exports to "; S2[40]=" the Middle East were up 36% for the year, to a record 14,052 tonnes sw, while mutton exports increased by 24% on 2004 levels, to "; S3[40]=" 36,051 tonnes sw.
      The increased shipments of both lamb and mutton to the Middle East during the year were partly the result "; S4[40]=" of expanded Australian supplies, due to higher turn-off rates.
      Also contributing to the rise in demand for Australian product in the Middle "; S5[40]=" East was an increase in prices for competing products, most notability Brazilian frozen whole chickens and beef primal cuts.
      Exports to South "; S6[40]=" Africa also rose during 2005, largely due to a combination of increased supplies of suitable product and strong underlying growth in demand for meat proteins.
"; S7[40]="       Lamb exports to South Africa reached 4,370 tonnes sw for the calendar year - a 71% increase on 2004 levels - while "; S8[40]=" mutton exports strengthened 21%, to 13,658 tonnes sw.
      Australian exports to North African destinations failed to maintain the levels reached during 2004, "; S9[40]=" primarily the result of increased competition from South American beef products.
      Sheepmeat exports to Libya declined 20%, to 3,538 tonnes sw, while "; S10[40]=" exports to Algeria were down 40%, to 4,823 tonnes sw... "; R[41]="397"; T[41]="Oldest Aussie recipes begin a national tour"; A[41]="By ... Editor"; Dn[41]="20060222"; Dt[41]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[41]="a10a50a51"; B1[41]="      The earliest known Australian cook book has been dragged out of its protective environment at the State Library to go on a "; B2[41]="national tour... "; B3[41]=" "; B4[41]=" "; B5[41]=" "; S1[41]="      The earliest known Australian cook book has been dragged out of its protective environment at the State Library to go on a "; S2[41]=" national tour.
      A highlight is a recipe for Slippery Bob - kangaroo brains.
      Published in 1864, the book carries "; S3[41]=" the byline 'By an Australian Aristologist' and the rather pompous title The English and Australian Cookery Book: Cookery for the Many, as Well as the "; S4[41]=" Upper Ten Thousand.
      Just like today's foodies, author Edward Abbott - an MP, businessman and land owner- fancied himself skilled in the "; S5[41]=" art of fine dining.
      It has recipes for traditional English fare and incorporates local produce.
      Librarian Dianne Byrne said "; S6[41]=" the book's title was thought to be a little tongue in cheek although its production was aimed at colonial gentry.
      It "; S7[41]=" contains recipes for a range of products of a type not necessarily available in England, such as wattle, muttonbird, wild duck, pigeon and black swans.
"; S8[41]="       It also contains curiosities, advice on smoking, tea drinking and, of course, tips on managing servants.
      More than "; S9[41]=" 20 of the library's most valuable historic items - all of national significance - have just gone on tour as part of the National Treasures "; S10[41]=" from Australia's Great Libraries exhibition.
      The exhibition opened at the National Gallery in Canberra earlier this month but will not be in "; S11[41]=" Queensland until November when it will play a role in the opening of the new State Library.Queensland treasures on show include cloths collected on Lieutenant "; S12[41]=" James Cook's three major voyages and the log book for the first aircraft ordered by the Western Queensland Auto Aero Service, later called Qantas.
  "; S13[41]="     Also included is Sir Donald Bradman's favourite cricket bat and bushranger Ned Kelly's iron helmet... "; R[42]="337"; T[42]="What s next: Personalised Nutrition"; A[42]="By ... Editor"; Dn[42]="20060222"; Dt[42]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[42]="a10"; B1[42]="      A world where diets are tailored to suit a person s own genetic blueprint may soon become a reality, thanks to the "; B2[42]="work of CSIRO scientist Dr Michael Fenech... "; B3[42]=" "; B4[42]=" "; B5[42]=" "; S1[42]="      A world where diets are tailored to suit a person's own genetic blueprint may soon become a reality, thanks to the work "; S2[42]=" of CSIRO scientist Dr Michael Fenech.
      A world where diets are tailored to suit a person's own genetic blueprint may soon become "; S3[42]=" a reality, thanks to the work of CSIRO scientist Dr Michael Fenech.
      Dr Fenech, Principal Research Scientist and Project Leader, Nutrigenomics and "; S4[42]=" Genome Health, CSIRO Human Nutrition, and senior researcher, Food Futures Flagship, will today discuss his vision of a Genome Health Clinic at an international nutrigenomics "; S5[42]=" conference in Singapore.
      Dr Fenech says it is now feasible that in the near future Genome Health Clinics will become one of "; S6[42]=" the main strategies for disease prevention where patients can take a simple blood test, the damage to their DNA assessed, their genotype determined and a "; S7[42]=" micronutrient supplement plan and/or dietary pattern tailored to their genotype be designed to optimise genome health maintenance.
      'In this way instead of "; S8[42]=" doctors treating diseases caused by genome damage they will be able to diagnose and nutritionally prevent some of the causes of developmental and degenerative diseases,' "; S9[42]=" Dr Fenech says.
      'This would allow people, with the help of expert advice, to assess directly the effect of their dietary and "; S10[42]=" nutritional supplement choices on their genome and that of their children.' Dr Fenech will present his paper,'Genome Health - A Nutrigenomics Approach to Setting Dietary "; S11[42]=" Recommendations', at the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Southeast Asia Region's first international conference on nutrigenomics in Singapore today.
      The conference, which "; S12[42]=" runs from December 7 to 9, is supported by CSIRO's Food Futures and Preventative Health National Research Flagships.
      It is the first "; S13[42]=" nutrigenomics conference in Asia to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of this new frontier of nutritional science.
      Dr Fenech will highlight "; S14[42]=" the growing evidence of a direct link between increased genome damage and elevated risk for adverse health outcomes during life, such as infertility, foetal development "; S15[42]=" and cancer.
      'There is good evidence that genome and epigenome damage 'markers' are sensitive indicators of deficiency or excess in micronutrients (vitamins "; S16[42]=" and minerals) which are needed as components of DNA repair enzymes and/or to make new copies of DNA.
      We now know that "; S17[42]=" moderate micronutrient deficiency can cause as much genome damage as significant doses of radiation and increases the risk of developmental and degenerative disease,' he says.
"; S18[42]="       'The DNA inherited from our parents is, from conception, constantly under threat of change due to a variety of environmental and life-style "; S19[42]=" factors, including a deficiency of micronutrients which can limit the DNA's ability to replicate itself properly and thus reduce the body's ability to fight diseases.
"; S20[42]="       'Therefore, nutrition has a critical role in DNA metabolism and repair and this awareness is leading to the development of the new.. "; R[43]="314"; T[43]="New name for kangaroo meat"; A[43]="By ... Editor"; Dn[43]="20060222"; Dt[43]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[43]="a07a08a10a27a31"; B1[43]="      Australians could soon be chucking a piece of australus on the barbecue if the new name for a slice of kangaroo makes "; B2[43]="it more appealing to diners sensitive about eating the national symbol... "; B3[43]=" "; B4[43]=" "; B5[43]=" "; S1[43]="      Australians could soon be chucking a piece of 'australus' on the barbecue if the new name for a slice of kangaroo makes "; S2[43]=" it more appealing to diners sensitive about eating the national symbol.
      Inspired by the fact that slices of cow or pig on "; S3[43]=" a plate are known by the more palatable euphemisms of beef or pork, Australia's kangaroo meat industry backed a competition to find a similarly savoury "; S4[43]=" name for cute kangaroos.
      It was won by US citizen Steven West, who came up with the name 'australus' while working at "; S5[43]=" an hotel school near Sydney.
      The editor of Food Companion International, which ran the competition, said 'australus' sounded dignified and linked the "; S6[43]=" meat with the home of the kangaroo.
      'The new name may be a huge breakthrough for the kangaroo meat industry,' Mel Nathan "; S7[43]=" said.
      Among the 2700 rejected entries submitted by people in 41 nations were kangasaurus, kangarly, marsupan, jumpmeat and MOM (Meat of Marsupials).
"; S8[43]="       'There is nothing more comforting than a mother,' said Californian Greg Richardson of his MOM entry.
      'In order to "; S9[43]=" make kangaroo meat sound more comforting to potential consumers, I figured we could associate one with the other: MOM.' Kangaroo meat sales have grown 50-fold "; S10[43]=" in the past decade to create a $200m a year industry, with Europe a major export market for the low-fat red meat and Russians lapping "; S11[43]=" it up in sausages.
      But Australians have been reluctant to eat an animal so closely linked to the national identity - and "; S12[43]=" portrayed as intelligent and lovable in the popular television programme Skippy - so most kangaroo meat consumed locally is in the form of pet food.
"; S13[43]="       The national quota for culling kangaroos in 2005 was 3.9 million animals, a number described by some wildlife activists as a cruel "; S14[43]=" slaughter but defended by the industry as necessary to keep down booming populations.
      The executive officer of the Kangaroo Industry Association of "; S15[43]=" Australia, John Kelly, said that while his organisation had helped sponsor the competition it had 'no really serious intention of changing the name' at this "; S16[43]=" stage... "; R[44]="303"; T[44]="Calf mortality research continues"; A[44]="By ... Editor"; Dn[44]="20060222"; Dt[44]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[44]="a09a10a26a27a31"; B1[44]="      Research efforts are underway to investigate the causes of mortality in newly born calves in north-west Queensland..... "; B2[44]=" "; B3[44]=" "; B4[44]=" "; B5[44]=" "; S1[44]="      Research efforts are underway to investigate the causes of mortality in newly born calves in north-west Queensland.
      Mount Isa-based "; S2[44]=" Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior extension officer Mick Sullivan said the Beef Cooperative Research Centre's (Beef CRC) herd at DPI&F's Toorak Research Station "; S3[44]=" provided a unique opportunity to investigate reproductive losses in an extensive grazing environment.
      'Knowing the time at which calf losses occur is "; S4[44]=" paramount to the understanding and identification of the possible causes and mechanisms linked to poor reproductive performances,' he said.
      Mr Sullivan said "; S5[44]=" the first CRC calving at Toorak in late 2003 had an unexplained perinatal (period from just prior to birth to 48 hours after birth) calf "; S6[44]=" mortality rate of nine per cent.
      During the 2004 calving, the unexplained perinatal calf mortality at Toorak had risen to 37 per "; S7[44]=" cent.
      Investigations by DPI&F principal veterinary pathologist, Dr Bruce Hill from Yeerongpilly, have now explained that the increased mortality in 2004 was "; S8[44]=" due to a deficiency of vitamin A during pregnancy.
      This was an unusual finding and one that was rarely reported in scientific "; S9[44]=" literature, Dr Hill said.
      'The circumstances of these perinatal calf deaths are still under study, but were closely related to a succession "; S10[44]=" of poor seasons and severe long-standing deprivation of green fodder,' he said.
      'A program of treatment through vitamin A injections during pregnancy "; S11[44]=" and provision of vitamin A supplements was instituted for 2005.' Unexplained perinatal calf losses for the 2005 season at Toorak are presently nine per cent.
"; S12[44]="       Dr Hill said the examination of specimens taken from these calves was still in progress.
      'Material examined to date "; S13[44]=" indicates that the 2005 treatment regime for vitamin A deficiency has been effective, with no evidence of the deficiency being detected in dead calves to "; S14[44]=" date,' he said.
      'Work is continuing to determine the cause of these current unexplained losses.' Dr Hill said the close herd supervision "; S15[44]=" at Toorak enabled investigation of calf losses occurring during their first two days of life.
      'This time is of particular interest to "; S16[44]=" investigators as it represents a vulnerable transition period for newborn animals, especially if environmental conditions are harsh,' he said.
      Dr Hill said "; S17[44]=" Toorak was well placed to collaborate with other breeding properties to determine the range of calf losses experienced in the region and to develop methods "; S18[44]=" for identifying possible causes.
      'A future challenge emerging from the Toorak experience will be to determine practical methods for delivering vitamin A "; S19[44]=" to cattle under commercial conditions,' he said.
      'For instance, the effectiveness of including vitamins in supplements has yet to be established.' A "; S20[44]=" recent review commissioned by Meat and Livestock Australia and led by DPI&F principal scientist Dr Brian Burns from Rockhampton shows that only a limited number.. "; R[45]="257"; T[45]="Noodle expert visits Western Australia"; A[45]="By ... Editor"; Dn[45]="20060222"; Dt[45]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[45]="a10a22"; B1[45]="      Noodle expert Kenji Nakamura from Nisshin Flour Milling Co Ltd is currently working in the Department of Agriculture s Grain Products Laboratory "; B2[45]="at South Perth to assist in the assessment of advanced wheat breeding lines for noodle quality... "; B3[45]=" "; B4[45]=" "; B5[45]=" "; S1[45]="      Noodle expert Kenji Nakamura from Nisshin Flour Milling Co Ltd is currently working in the Department of Agriculture's Grain Products Laboratory at "; S2[45]=" South Perth to assist in the assessment of advanced wheat breeding lines for noodle quality.
      Mr Nakamura is representing the Flour Millers "; S3[45]=" Association of Japan, which has a vital interest in the development of wheat especially suited to Japanese udon.
      More than 800,000 tonnes "; S4[45]=" of this wheat is supplied each year to Japanese milling companies from Western Australia.
      Kenji is the fifth noodle expert from Japan "; S5[45]=" to have worked at the Department since its visiting experts program commenced in 1990.
      His visit has been largely supported by AWB "; S6[45]=" Ltd.
      Also working at the Department during Mr Nakamura's visit is Larisa Cato from AWB's Agrifood Technology at Werribee.
      "; S7[45]=" Principal Chemist Graham Crosbie, who has been closely associated with noodle wheat development in Western Australia, said that Mr Nakamura's visit was organised to ensure "; S8[45]=" that the Department's noodle sensory panel remained closely aligned to the quality requirements of the Japanese market... "; R[46]="255"; T[46]="Meat judging students set sights on US"; A[46]="By ... Editor"; Dn[46]="20060222"; Dt[46]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[46]="a10a25a27"; B1[46]="      Five university students had plenty to celebrate over the weekend after scoring a place on the 16th annual Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) "; B2[46]="scholarship tour of the US in January 2006... "; B3[46]=" "; B4[46]=" "; B5[46]=" "; S1[46]="      Five university students had plenty to celebrate over the weekend after scoring a place on the 16th annual Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) "; S2[46]=" scholarship tour of the US in January 2006.
      Sponsored by Meat & Livestock Australia, 70 students competed in the ICMJ contest, with "; S3[46]=" a further 10 students completing MSA training and five finalists selected to go on the US scholarship tour.
      The five finalists are "; S4[46]=" Ryan Andrews, Dimity Butler and George Wragge from UNE Armidale, Anthony Rosser from UQ Gatton, and Fiona Sparke from University of Sydney.
      "; S5[46]=" During the competition students assessed beef, lamb and pork carcases according to cut and quality as well as beef and lamb retail cuts.
    "; S6[46]="   Meat Standards Australia (MSA) manager Cameron Dart said he was very impressed with the high standard of applicants this year, with 10 students successfully "; S7[46]=" completing an MSA course in Brisbane last week.
      'Five students will tour the US to gain an understanding of the USDA grading "; S8[46]=" system and processing regimes as well as to compete against US students at the National Western Stock Show in Denver,' Mr Dart said.
    "; S9[46]="   'A rewarding aspect of the competition is that many past competitors are today employed within the red meat industry, with many extending their careers "; S10[46]=" in the processing, lotfeeding, retail, trade and R&D sectors.' UNE Bachelor of Agribusiness student Ryan Andrews was the overall individual competition winner, taking home the "; S11[46]=" 'founders buckle' for the highest individual score and winning a place on the US scholarship tour.
      'Following the ICMJ contest and MSA "; S12[46]=" training I now feel I have the practical hands-on experience to launch my career into agriculture,' Mr Andrews said.
      'After returning from "; S13[46]=" the US in January I will begin a Business Law degree at Monash University that will hopefully lead me into a meat trading and market "; S14[46]=" access career.
      'The sponsorship and training MSA has given me and so many other students over the years has been fantastic and "; S15[46]=" is certainly appreciated.' Since 1990, 1,200 students have competed in the ICMJ contest, with 75 students travelling to the US and nine touring Japan and "; S16[46]=" Korea... "; R[47]="235"; T[47]="Solid platform for red meat industry growth"; A[47]="By ... Editor"; Dn[47]="20060222"; Dt[47]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[47]="a02a07a08a10a25a27"; B1[47]="      Meat & Livestock Australia s continued solid performance in the areas of marketing, research and development and market access have provided the "; B2[47]="red meat industry with a solid platform to tackle the challenges ahead, according to MLA s managing director Mark Spurr... "; B3[47]=" "; B4[47]=" "; B5[47]=" "; S1[47]="      Meat & Livestock Australia's continued solid performance in the areas of marketing, research and development and market access have provided the red "; S2[47]=" meat industry with a solid platform to tackle the challenges ahead, according to MLA's managing director Mark Spurr.
      In his address to "; S3[47]=" the MLA AGM in Melbourne today Mr Spurr outlined the key programs and initiatives MLA will be carrying out during the 2005-06 financial year.
  "; S4[47]="     'MLA had a solid year which has provided a solid foundation that will allow the industry continued access to markets, the opportunity to "; S5[47]=" build demand in those markets and the ability to supply differentiated and competitive products to customers,' Mr Spurr said.
      'One of MLA's "; S6[47]=" key challenges will be to maintain the high level of consumer expenditure in the domestic market and we will be attempting to increase red meat "; S7[47]=" meal frequency by continuing to address attitudinal barriers to consumption,' Mr Spurr said.
      'In our international markets, our marketing programs will be "; S8[47]=" bolstered as we strive to maintain our share of north Asian markets and increase share in other markets.
      We will pilot category "; S9[47]=" management with major retailers, along with conducting product segmentation studies in the US and Japan to migrate product to higher value positions.
      "; S10[47]=" 'In relation to developing competitive advantage we will be increasing carcase value by developing low value cuts and co-products.
      We will also "; S11[47]=" ensure continued productivity improvements through programs such as Sheep Genetics Australia, which delivers robust analysis to improve genetics across the whole sheep industry.
    "; S12[47]="   'We will also continue to represent the industry on market access issues through playing an active role in the Doha round of World Trade "; S13[47]=" Organisation (WTO) negotiations.
      'MLA has worked together with all sectors of the industry, and we have laid a foundation for continued success "; S14[47]=" in meeting future challenges and opportunities.' Mr Spurr also reported on the strong operational performance of Meat & Livestock Australia over the past year, with "; S15[47]=" a solid financial result during the past year and the continuation of effective corporate governance procedures, according to MLA managing director Mark Spurr.
    "; S16[47]="   'MLA members can feel very confident that their company is in great shape and is performing well,' Mr Spurr said.
      'There "; S17[47]=" is a $15 billion industry at stake and MLA has the programs and operational procedures in place that ensure we are getting optimum efficiency and "; S18[47]=" value for money out of the transaction levies and industry and government funds that we administer.' MLA's income for the 2004-05 financial year was $140.2 "; S19[47]=" million, while expenditure was $139.7 million, resulting in a surplus of $500,000.
      'During the year we undertook an extensive review of our "; S20[47]=" corporate governance and aligned our procedures with the Australian Stock Exchange's best practice principles.
      We also undertook a risk management assessment and.. "; R[48]="234"; T[48]="Red meat industry in solid shape for challenging times ahead"; A[48]="By ... Editor"; Dn[48]="20060222"; Dt[48]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[48]="a02a07a08a10a25a26a27"; B1[48]="      In his last address as Meat & Livestock Australia chairman David Crombie today congratulated the Australian red meat industry on its resilience "; B2[48]="and ability to continually meet customer demands, but warned against complacency in the face of the challenges that lie ahead... "; B3[48]=" "; B4[48]=" "; B5[48]=" "; S1[48]="      In his last address as Meat & Livestock Australia chairman David Crombie today congratulated the Australian red meat industry on its resilience "; S2[48]=" and ability to continually meet customer demands, but warned against complacency in the face of the challenges that lie ahead.
      Addressing the "; S3[48]=" MLA annual general meeting in Melbourne, Mr Crombie said the red meat industry is in good shape and is well placed to strongly take on "; S4[48]=" the challenges and opportunities facing the industry in the months and years ahead.
      'Our red meat and livestock industry is a mature "; S5[48]=" and adaptable industry that has really led the way in a number of areas, ranging from R&D, product marketing and market access,' Mr Crombie said.
"; S6[48]="       'During the past 10 years, since MLA was formed, there have been remarkable gains in all of these areas and MLA has "; S7[48]=" played an important role in this.
      'In 1995 red meat production was valued at $7.84 billion.
      Today it is "; S8[48]=" worth $14.03 billion - an increase of 79 per cent - with this increase in value driven by both domestic and export markets.
    "; S9[48]="   'Over the last ten years industry has invested heavily in eating quality research and today it is possible to buy cuts by cooking method "; S10[48]=" with an assured outcome.
      'Ten years ago there was a food safety cloud hanging over red meats .Now over 70 per cent "; S11[48]=" of consumers agree the red meat industry is ethical and trustworthy.' In highlighting the success of MLA's marketing initiatives in key markets Mr Crombie said "; S12[48]=" exports to Japan during 2004-05 had reached record levels, worth approximately $2.45 billion, up $696 million on last year.
      'Our Aussie Beef "; S13[48]=" Brand in Japan now has 97 per cent consumer brand awareness and this is a result of MLA's positioning of the Aussie Beef symbol,' Mr "; S14[48]=" Crombie said.
      'Our beef exports to Korea rose 48 per cent this year, reaching $524 million.
      This reflects a "; S15[48]=" 21 per cent increase in the volume of beef sent to this valuable market.
      'Domestic expenditure on lamb has grown by 70 "; S16[48]=" per cent between 1997-98 and 2004-05 to a record $1.7 billion, while domestic beef expenditure has grown by $1.9 billion, or 47 per cent, between "; S17[48]=" 2000-01 and 2004-05 to a record $6 billion.' Despite the industry's current strong position Mr Crombie urged all in the industry to ensure its long "; S18[48]=" term viability and success by continuing to make improvements throughout the production chain.
      'We are facing a raft of real threats and "; S19[48]=" challenges in the months and years ahead - maybe more than we have ever encountered,' Mr Crombie said.
      'We cannot sit still "; S20[48]=" - change will continually be in our face and we need to constantly improve what we do to satisfy our consumers and to be better.. "; R[49]="215"; T[49]="Honour for food label campaigner"; A[49]="By ... Editor"; Dn[49]="20060222"; Dt[49]="Wednesday 22 February 2006"; Acats[49]="a04a05a10a17a18a48a54"; B1[49]="      A Farmer who led a tractor convoy to the nation s political centre to save the Tasmanian vegetable industry has been named "; B2[49]="the state s Australian of the Year... "; B3[49]=" "; B4[49]=" "; B5[49]=" "; S1[49]="      A Farmer who led a tractor convoy to the nation's political centre to save the Tasmanian vegetable industry has been named the "; S2[49]=" state's Australian of the Year.
      Richard Bovill gained national backing in July with his Fair Dinkum Food Campaign.
      From "; S3[49]=" Don, near Devonport in the state's north, he proved impossible to ignore when he arrived in Canberra with 2000 people demanding clearer labelling of food "; S4[49]=" to support Australian growers.
      Warren Pearson, national director of the National Australia Day Council, said Mr Bovill's drive and leadership made him "; S5[49]=" an inspirational Australian.
      'The Fair Dinkum Food Campaign Richard led voiced the issues facing the Australian farming community and, as a result, "; S6[49]=" put the issue of country-of-origin labelling on the national agenda,' he said.
      Mr Bovill was presented with the honour at Hobart's Henry "; S7[49]=" Jones Art Hotel last night.
      He will return to the lawns of Canberra's Parliament House to compete in the national awards on "; S8[49]=" January 25... ";