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Current Fuel Surcharge

CURRENT DOMESTIC FUEL SURCHARGE TASMANIA: 4.51 - 6.93% March 2009

Friday, September 26, 2008

Tasmania says no to GM seeds

By Sally Dakis
Monday, 15/09/2008
A seed company has elected to withdraw it's canola seed from sale in Tasmania in the light of the State's zero tolerance for Genetic Modification (GM). Manager of Roberts Seeds at Carrick, Rob Winter, says companies are worried about their potential legal exposure with the State's decision to set a nil tolerance for GM in any seed material under it's GM moratorium.Across the globe different tolerance levels for GM have been established, from Tasmania's nil tolerance, to 0.5 per cent in other states, and up to 5 per cent by some buyers.Mr Winter is concerned that other seed companies may follow suit, denying the state access to the best seed varieties."Seed companies from around the world are looking to the latest technology as a major part of their breeding programs," he said. "In fact it's estimated that 80 per cent of new seed lines have some sort of genetically modified component in them so even if full segregation was possible, we might only have the older varieties or less economically viable varieties available to us which is still not a good situation."
In this report: Rob Winter, Manager of Roberts Seeds.

Tasmania organics make the history books

By Eliza Wood
Wednesday, 17/09/2008
The history of the organics movement in Tasmania is about to be made into a book, and the writer is looking for your stories. The Organic Farming and Gardening Society had fourteen branches in Tasmania starting in the 1970s, and after more than 30 years, the society will hold its last meeting next June.Organics enthusiast Graeme Stevenson has been commissioned to write the history and says while it's sad the society is folding, there is an upside."They've done their job, because look how many organic veg you can buy in Woolies and Coles now. They stirred, they pushed, they ran field days, had festivals, and printed magazines that went across Australia. Whoever was interested adopted it, so they've done their job," he said.
In this report: Graeme Stevenson, Organic Farming and Gardening Society.

Closed loop abalone processing a radical suggestion

By Jayne Landsberg
Wednesday, 17/09/2008
Introducing a closed loop system for Tasmanian abalone farmers has been described as a radical proposal that could cost millions of dollars.The call for closed loop and effluent recycling for Tasmanian abalone farms has been made in the light of the discovery of ganglioneuritis in four Tasmanian abalone.The concern is that if a virus is found in a farm, the disease could be magnified and spread to the wild through effluent.Nick Savva from Australian Ocean Biotechnology, farms abalone at Clarence Point on the Tamar River and thinks it's likely that closed loop effluent systems could only be mandatory for abalone processors in the long term. "It would be a radical proposal for farms to go to complete recirc without any effluent or without complete sterilisation of effluent. As far as I'm aware there's no abalone farm in the world that works that way," he said."Mistakes can always happen and just guarding against the possibility of having a virus enter the farm in the first place is the best way to manage that."
In this report: Nick Savva, abalone farmer Clarence Point.

Calls for additional shipping service to Flinders Island

By Rosemary Grant
Thursday, 25/09/2008
Some Flinders Island residents are considering investing in a local co-operative shipping service to overcome problems in getting livestock off the island.According to Flinders Island beef cattle producer, Peter Scollard, it's the ideal way to overcome the problem he's experienced getting cattle to market.There have been significant delays getting stock off the island since Southern Shipping replaced it's roll-on roll-off ferry, the Matthew Flinders, with a general freight carrier which is not purpose built for shipping livestock.Yesterday Southern Shipping told a special Flinders Island shipping committee meeting The Matthew Flinders will be back in service next week.But Peter Scollard told says he's frustrated with the lack of transport competition, and is suggeting a community based co operative model to run a second service."I looked on the internet this morning and I saw a vessel in the Mediterranean which is a livestock carrier which can carry 550 head of cattle at 500 kilo's each and that's for sale for US$500,000."Mr Scollard said if the community were to buy a vessel it could potentially be serviced and operated by the Maritime College with some state government backing and with expertise from the TT Line.
In this report: Peter Scollard, cattle producer

Call for national shipping rules

By Rosemary Grant
Thursday, 25/09/2008
It's World Maritime Day (Thursday 25th September) and it comes with a call for all Australian states to agree to a new set of maritime standards for coastal shipping.Every state and the northern Territory has it's own rules and legislation. Some have been in place since federation. However, this month a series of consultative forums have been held right around the country with the Commonwealth to see how this can be reformed and the national framework of maritime standards can be implemented more widely.Chief executive of Marine and Safety Tasmania, Colin Finch says Tasmania is leading the change."The standards that we use now, there are builders in Tasmania, there are builders that are building vessels that are sold overseas that are using these Australian standards. We've got vessels that are going to Tanzania, there are vessels that are going across the Pacific to New Zealand. They are using these current Australian standards because they are best practice in the world," he said. "The issue isn't about the standards, the issue is about how we implement them into legislation. In Tasmania we've achieved that and so we think we are a leader in that regard, and we just hope the rest of Australia can also implement these standards."
In this report: Colin Finch, chief executive of Marine and Safety Tasmania

Surcharges for Dubai Port Congestion

Effective from Sept 1st, 2008, there will additional surcharges from the shipping line for Regional Cost
Recovery (RCR) and Dubai Port Congestion Surcharge
Pls note, the additional charges incurred will be passed on to the local customers at Dubai for local cargo
And will be debited as RCR and Port Congestion charges @ US$ 6.00 W/M to the local customers at on forwarding
Destination.
India Pakistan Iran Iraq KSA (dammam/Riyadh/Jeddah)Kuwait Bahrain UAE Oman

Important - USA OFAC ruling on Iran Shipping Lines

The US Government, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), has recently included the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), related IRISL companies, and a large number of Iranian vessels on its list of blocked persons. A link to these recent developments appears below:
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20080910.shtml You can access the full OFAC list of blocked persons through the link below: http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn/index.shtml The effect of these developments is that Willard Estate will not support any new transaction involving IRISL, related IRISL companies, or listed vessels irrespective of the currency of the transaction. Where Willard Estate agrees to a transaction, and is subsequently provided with documents indicating the involvement of these parties or vessels, Willard Estate will withdraw from the transaction.
For the avoidance of any issues of this nature, Willard Estate requests that you ensure, among other things, that your dealings do not involve any parties or vessels that appear on OFAC's list of blocked persons.

Friends of Maritime College

Tasmania's Exciting Infrastructure Future

The Minister for Infrastructure, Graeme Sturges, today spoke to the annual state conference of The Australian Workers Union about Tasmania’s infrastructure developments.
“In terms of economic development, Tasmania has seen something of a sea change in the past decade with a Labor Government,” Mr Sturges said.
“We have gone from the essentially ad hoc approach of the Liberals to a strategic approach designed to achieve the best cost-effective outcomes for the taxpayers’ dollars.
“Developing and maintaining major infrastructure such as roads, bridges, rail and energy networks is expensive. And because it’s with us for a long time, we need to get it right.
“Over the past 10 years, the Tasmanian Government has developed a transport strategy that delivers a safe, efficient and equitable transport system for Tasmania.
“There has probably never been a time when so much major infrastructure development is either being planned or under way. The scale and complexity of this undertaking is unprecedented.
“We are creating the infrastructure needed to ensure that we maintain a strong and growing economy so that we remain competitive on the national and international stage.
“There are certainly some formidable challenges in the years ahead – including a steadily growing freight task and the continued expansion of industry and tourism – all of which are placing pressure on Tasmania’s transport network and infrastructure assets.
“The national freight task is forecast to double by 2020 with trends for Tasmania indicating even higher growth over the same period.
“Recently, I joined the Mayor of Brighton to announce the preferred site for the vital $79 million Brighton Transport Hub facility.
“Closely related are the Brighton Bypass, the refurbishment of the Bridgewater Bridge and the upgrade of the Midland/Lyell Highways junction.
“While we will be faced by many challenges in delivering such a large program of work, there are many opportunities as well.”
Mr Sturges said that the State Government was committed to developing business in Tasmania.
“We have an open and transparent procurement system in place, which encourages Tasmanian companies to tender for key infrastructure projects.
“We are also working hard with all our stakeholders to ensure that our rail network is maintained as a viable alternative to road transport in the carriage of freight.”
Mr Sturges said that the Government was committed to working with a new above-rail operator for a viable rail system in Tasmania.
“The aim of the $122 million rail rescue package – jointly funded by the Tasmanian and Australian Government – is to upgrade the track across the rail network.
“The Australian Government has also allocated further funding for rail upgrade projects in Tasmania, totalling another $130 million.
“The Tasmanian Government is committed to upholding the principles of Occupational Health and Safety for all workers and our contractors to ensure work is undertaken safely while also producing the best outcomes.
“To this end, we have established a position within my Department to ensure that work on roads and other State infrastructure is carried out in accordance with the best OH&S principles and practice.
“I look forward to the major contribution which infrastructure projects such as those I have mentioned are making and will continue to make to Tasmania’s continuing prosperity.
“I am delighted to be Tasmania’s Minister for Infrastructure at such an exciting and crucial time in the development of these major infrastructure projects,” Mr Sturges said.

Walk and Ride to Work

Active Launceston is a community project supported by the Launceston Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is supportive of any initiative that benefits the health of employees.

In October Active Launceston will coordinate a Walk and Ride to Work from the Inveresk Park and Walk carpark.

Please find attached an Active Transport Kit. This kit includes information about Walk and Ride to Work Days and the Inveresk Park and Walk flyer and a CBD bike rack map.

Walk to Work Day is on Friday, 3rd October.
Ride to Work Day is on Wednesday 15th October

Both promotions include FREE healthy breakfasts in the Quadrant Mall.


http://www.activelaunceston.com.au


NB: The Inveresk Park and Walk Car Park will be closed for the Launceston Show between the 4th and 14th of October.

Rail Upgrade Contract Awarded

At last, theres movement at the station...

A multi-million dollar contract for a major upgrading of the Tasmanian rail network has been awarded.
The Minister for Infrastructure, Graeme Sturges, said today that the contract, worth more than $30 million, would cover the replacement of 20 kilometres of rail and 140,000 sleepers.
“The successful contractor, Queensland Rail (QR Ltd), will team with Tasmanian-based contractor, Van Ek Contracting, to complete this contract,” Mr Sturges said.
“The planning work will get underway within two weeks with site works expected to get under way in November.
“The bulk of the site works will be completed by the latter half of 2009 in a 12-month contract.”
Mr Sturges said that the contract was tangible evidence of the Government’s determination to ensure that rail freight remained a viable option in Tasmania.
“The contract also offers significant value-adding in re-establishing rail skilled workers in Tasmania for the future.
“The contract is part of the capital works program funded by the Australian Government under the rail rescue package. All expenditure of funding under the package is administered by the State Government.
“The Government remains committed to the $122 million rail rescue package to upgrade rail infrastructure in Tasmania because we believe there is a positive future for rail transport in this State,” Mr Sturges said.

High Security Seals USA Mandatory

The Government of the United States of America, have enacted laws that will be enforced by US Customs and Border Protection Agency, that all freight containers inbound to the USA by ship are required to have afixed:

High Security Seals
Meeting ISO PAS 17712 Standards

Effective October 15, 2008

This requirement includes all cargo bound for the USA, no matter whether the cargo is for USA final destination or the cargo is in transit to other countries.

As a participating carrier in the US Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program (C-TPAT), OOCL’s high security seal policy has already been in place for many years for all US-inbound containers. Although this is not a new practice, we would like to remind you that the practice is now mandatory under C-TPAT.

This security initiative is aimed at improving cargo protection and increasing supply chain security. After securely stuffing and sealing your container, please ensure the seal number is provided on the shipping instructions forwarded to OOCL.

If a container is not affixed with a high security seal, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may issue a penalty. There is also a possibility US Coast Guard may detain the vessel. However, CBP recognizes that there are types of containers that cannot be readily secured by use of a high security seal, such as tanks, non-standard containers (for example open top containers), or containers that simply cannot accommodate such a seal. These types of containers are not subject to the statutory requirement.

Shippers, consignees, and cargo owners are responsible for ensuring their containers are sealed according to regulations, and if not, are liable for all costs incurred in case of any breach.

Willard Estate Logistics hold a stock of OOCL High Security Seals - please contact us if you require any.

China National Holiday

Advice received from China Agents

China National Holiday from 29 Sep (Monday) to 5 Oct (Sunday) for China National Day Holiday and will resume working on 6 Oct (Monday).

Somalian pirates allow Sinotrans captives to phone home

THE master of the Hong Kong-flagged Great Creation, with 25 people on board when it was hijacked off Somalia last Thursday, has called to report that the crew were being "well treated," according to a source close to the situation, reports Lloyd's List.
It said that after being attacked by seven or eight pirates in the Gulf of Aden, a security signal was sent from the 27,383-ton bulk carrier on the same day stating that the people on board, including 23 Chinese seamen and a Sri Lankan master, were "in safe condition."
The ship was heading for Pipavav in northwest India when it was seized by pirates. Another ship the Greek-owned, 12,812-ton Centauri, was also hijacked last Thursday off Somalia with 25 crew and 17,000 tonnes of bulk salt on board.
It is reported that a turbine technician from Hong Kong on board the Great Creation, owned by Sinotrans Shipping Limited, also called his family using his mobile phone after the attack, but details of the conversation could not be revealed, although Sinotrans confirmed the phone call took place.

US Customs 10+2 security filing 'days or weeks' away

US Deputy Commissioner Jayson Ahern says the publication of Customs and Border Protection's importer security filing rule known as 10+2 is "a matter of days or weeks".
Mr Ahern has turned down a proposal to launch a pilot test for the Import Security Filing (ISF), according to a report in The Journal of Commerce. This idea, said the report, was supported by some trade groups amid concerns about the capacity and viability of channels to handle the volume of data that the new security rules will require.
"I'm not interested in any pilot that's going to delay implementation," said Mr Ahern.
Mr Ahern said that customs will offer a 60-day grace period for importers after the 10+2 rule is introduced, and it will take a further year before customs begin to sanction importers for non-compliance with the new legislation.
Mr Ahern is now encouraging more importers to get involved with the Advanced Trade Data Initiative, a test bed by which participating importers can transmit the types of data that ISF will require along different communications channels, such as the Automated Broker Interface.
The report said that US Customs have processed 55,000 ATDI transactions from 200 importers, and Mr Ahern believes that with greater participation by the trade, customs will have greater experience to handle the upcoming launch of 10+2.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Dollar Rises to One-Year High Against Euro on Global Outlook

By Ye Xie and Agnes Lovasz
Sept. 11 (Bloomberg) -- The dollar rose to a one-year high against the euro on signs global growth is slowing, and the yen strengthened on speculation investors will sell higher-yielding assets funded by loans in Japan.
The yen appreciated to the highest level against the euro since August 2006 as concern Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. will collapse encouraged investors to pare carry trades. New Zealand's currency dropped to two-year lows against the dollar and the yen as the Reserve Bank reduced borrowing costs more than most economists forecast.
``Perception of risk has expanded globally,'' said Robert Sinche, head of global currency strategy at Bank of America Corp. in New York. ``Longer-term investors are unwinding their short-dollar positions. The dollar has momentum with it as the capitulation goes on.'' A short position is a bet that a currency will decline.
The U.S. currency climbed 0.3 percent to $1.3956 per euro at 4 p.m. in New York, from $1.3998 yesterday, after touching $1.3882, the strongest level since Sept. 18, 2007. The yen advanced 0.8 percent to 149.58 per euro, from 150.75, after touching 147.54, the strongest in more than two years. The yen gained 0.5 percent to 107.16 per dollar, from 107.70.
The ICE's Dollar Index touched 80.375 today, the highest level since September 2007, when the Federal Reserve began cutting its target lending rate from 5.25 percent to 2 percent to stave off a recession. The index, a gauge measuring the dollar against the currencies of six U.S. trading partners, reached a low of 70.698 on March 17.
Weaker Kiwi
New Zealand's dollar, known as the kiwi, fell as much as 2.7 percent to 64.38 U.S. cents, the lowest level since September 2006, and 4 percent to 68.55 yen, the weakest since May 2006. The Reserve Bank cut its official cash rate by a half- percentage point to 7.5 percent, saying the economy is in a recession and inflation will slow.
The U.S. currency strengthened beyond 1.80 versus the Brazilian real for the first time since January and reached $1.7447 against the pound, the strongest level since April 2006.
``The global slowdown has dimmed the allure of higher yields abroad,'' wrote Benedikt Germanier, a currency strategist at UBS AG in Stamford, Connecticut, in a research note to clients today. ``Dollar demand sparked by U.S. investors' repatriation flows in early August has reached the point of feeding on itself.''
The U.S. dollar advanced even as people familiar with Lehman said it had entered into talks with potential buyers after Moody's Investors Service said the Wall Street firm must find a ``strong financial buyer.'' Lehman, whose shares tumbled 42 percent, declined to comment.
Trading Shift
In March, when the Fed orchestrated the sale of Bear Stearns Cos. to JPMorgan Chase & Co. and cut the discount rate, the dollar fell to record lows versus the euro.
``This marks a substantial departure from one of the key trading patterns of the last six months, namely the positive correlation between the dollar and risky assets,'' wrote Themos Fiotakis, a market strategist at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., in a research note today. ``The drivers of risk sentiment have now shifted. Non-U.S. growth concerns are now key.''
The dollar is ``on course to test'' $1.3840, a 50 percent retracement of the euro's rise from the November 2005 low of $1.1640 to the all-time high of $1.6038 set in July, based on a series of numbers known as the Fibonacci sequence, currency strategists led by Ray Farris at Credit Suisse Group AG wrote in a note today. If the dollar breaks that level, it may strengthen to $1.34, the strategists wrote.
Stronger Yen
Japan's currency rose 2.5 percent to 58.77 versus the Brazilian real and 0.8 percent to 13.02 against the South African rand on speculation investors will reduce trades in which they get funds in a country with low borrowing costs and buy assets where returns are higher. Japan's target lending rate of 0.5 percent compares with 13.75 percent in Brazil and 12 percent in South Africa.
``We're in a situation where we're likely to see the current environment of slower global growth, lower interest rates, more risk reduction and deleveraging,'' said Shaun Osborne, chief currency strategist at TD Securities Inc. in Toronto. ``All suggest to me this process of unwinding the carry trades is going to continue.''
The euro has fallen 13 percent from its all-time high as the European economy slowed and crude oil dropped more than 30 percent to $101.06 a barrel from its peak of $147.27.
``The commodity bubble is popping,'' said Dustin Reid, a senior currency strategist at ABN Amro Bank NV in Chicago. ``Oil exporters have less dollars to recycle. The pace of diversification has slowed down. The dollar will remain bid.''
Industrial output in the 15 nations that use the euro probably fell 0.2 percent in July after a drop of the same amount in the previous month, according to the median forecast of 31 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. The report from the European Union's statistics office is due tomorrow.

Abalone diesase update

The southern Tasmanian seafood processor at the centre of an abalone disease scare says it is co-operating with authorities.
Abalone from tanks at Tas Live Abalone in Hobart tested positive this week to Ganglio Neuritis.
The positive tests have sent the world's largest abalone industry into a spin.
Divers are continuing to search wild fisheries for signs of infection and more test results could be available today.
Howard Johnson from Tas Live Abalone says he is working with the department to find the source.
"I think if anything the company has acted responsibly, has acted in good faith and will continue to do so," Mr Johnson said.
Dean Lisson from the Abalone Council says the industry has systems in place to deal with an outbreak.
"Even if it is found in the wild, we will be able to deal with it effectively.
Biosecurity Tasmania says it could be weeks before Tasmanian waters are given the all clear.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Australia-India FTA Joint Feasibility Study

This message has been sent to all companies/individuals who have either sent in written submissions to the Australia-India FTA study, or have attended industry consultations in state/territory capitals.

The feasibility study is proceeding well. The joint feasibility study group (JSG) has met twice in New Delhi (17 April and 11-12 August 2008) and in Melbourne on 21 May 2008. The JSG is due to meet again in Canberra in early October.

The Minister for Trade, Mr Crean, and the Indian Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Nath, agreed at the 11th Joint Ministerial Commission, held in Melbourne in May, that completion of the study should be brought forward to the end of 2008, reflecting the priority attached by both governments to enhancing the economic relationship. We remain on track to achieve this timeframe, though intensive work will be required to finalise the text of the study report.

We have now completed face-to-face consultations with industry and state/territory governments in all states/territories, and appreciate the valuable input offered at these meetings.

Almost 50 written submissions have also been received. We are still able to receive submissions but time is running out if the advice is to be reflected in the study report.

The study team is happy to field any queries about the study, either by email (india.ftastudy@dfat.gov.au) or telephone (Carol Robertson 02 6261 9693).


Regards


India FTA Study Team
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Canberra

A Far Wine Country

Visiting the Vineyards of Tasmania
By MARLOWE HOODSeptember 5, 2008
There's one problem with Tasmania's cool-clime wines: What little there is tends to get drunk very close to home.
So the question for wine lovers is, are Tassie wines worth a trip?
Though Australia's southernmost inhabited outpost is a long, costly distance from almost anywhere, those who are as enchanted by landscapes and artisans as by the wines they produce should certainly consider heading south.
Mitro Hood
Frogmore Creek's Tony Scherer
Tasmania's wine industry is new even by Australian standards. In the 1970s, Andrew Pirie, armed with a degree in soil science from the University of Sydney, had a light-bulb moment during a year-long tour of France's wine regions. "I noticed that the most expensive wines were grown in the cooler regions -- Burgundy, Alsace, Champagne," he recalled.
At the time, Australia's wine focus was on warmer areas, but Mr. Pirie returned home determined to find the best microclimates for Europe's signature cool-clime varietals: Pinot Noir in red, and Chardonnay and Riesling in white.
His search unexpectedly led to Tasmania's Tamar Valley, where he and his brother put his ideas to the test. Tasmania's handful of producers mostly followed suit -- giving up on Cabernet, Merlot and Shiraz, ill-suited to an island where the daily high temperature during the warmest months averages 24 degrees Celsius.
The Piries were joined by a steady trickle of newcomers. But Tasmania still accounts for only about one quarter of 1% of Australia's wine production, and only about 15% of that tiny sliver finds its way abroad. Hence the travel imperative. So here's a quick guide to what's notable in Tasmania's three major wine regions.
Greater Hobart
The area surrounding the state capital has at least half a dozen vineyards and wineries worth visiting.
With vineyards cascading toward the Derwent River, Stefano "Steve" Lubiano was one of a handful of winemakers working in Tasmania through the 1990s. The family's grape-growing roots go back to his grandfather, who ran two wineries in Trieste, Italy, before emigrating to Australia in the early 1950s.
It's all good at the Lubiano spread, but the 2005 vintage of his top Pinot -- while a bit pricey by local standards -- could humiliate any number of Grand Cru Burgundies costing twice as much. Even a recorked bottle of "Sasso" that knocked about the trunk of a rental car for three days (sorry, Steve) was pure spice and cherries when finally drunk.
Native Tasmanian Fred Peacock, who began his career in the late '70s running experimental grape plots for the state, now owns the picture-postcard Bream Creek vineyards, which overlook Marion Bay on Tasmania's east coast. Its wines are available at an utterly charming countryside bed-and-breakfast called Potter's Croft, and in Hobart. Maybe it's because Mr. Peacock sweet-talks his vines, but grapes they produce make wines that sing in near-perfect harmony, with a dark cherry-and-spice 2005 Pinot and a citrusy 2007 Sauvignon blanc leading the choir.
Other wineries nearby merit a detour. Home Hill's award-winning wines include a 2005 Pinot dripping with red fruit, and an even more intense 2006, both available in the winery's stunning "in-the-vines" restaurant. Tony Scherer's organic Frogmore Creek and his recently acquired Hood Wines in the Coal Valley are a must, both for the man and his wines. Show-stoppers include both a sweet and a dry 2006 Reisling, and a 2005 Chardonnay that balances power and finesse. You probably won't get it, but ask Tony for a bottle of his "wild yeast" 2006 Pinot -- a truly great wine produced by an act of defiance; using wild yeast is controversial, both because it can fail and because it can spread to other batches of fermenting grape juice. Moorilla, gambling millionaire David Walsh's $50 million fantasy-in-progress, isn't just a winery -- it's a brewery, ultra-trendy restaurant and a private museum. After a slow, decade-long slide, Tasmania's oldest active winery is also once again making top-flight wines.
East Coast
This ravishingly beautiful region has a handful of notable wineries. Freycinet Vineyard's Claudio Radenti and Lindy Bull produce a haunting Chardonnay, full of delicate and elegant fruit, on 10 hectares nestled in a narrow valley a couple of kilometers from the sea. A few kilometers up the road is the family-run Spring Vale Vineyards, where sheep and grain are giving way to rows of vines. A big-bodied Pinot and a rose-petal and lychee Gewurztraminer headline the list.
But a little farther north, in the tiny fishing town of Bicheno, is arguably the single best reason for a wine lover to go to Tasmania: Brian Franklin's Apsley Gorge winery, tucked away in a former fish-processing plant battered by sea. (If you have come this far, you must try the fresh Tassie lobster and oysters, served with butter and a baguette.)
Mr. Franklin and his wines, a Pinot Noir and a Chardonnay, are off the grid -- not in the guide books, absent from competitions. But they could just be the best that Tasmania has to offer. In his late 40s, Mr. Franklin looks like what he was -- an abalone diver who hauled up as much as 1,500 kilos a day for export to Japan and China. That was after the degree in architecture, and before the start of his love affair with Burgundy.
"I was brought up on big Shiraz and BBQ," he says. But over the course of annual pilgrimages since 2000 to Burgundy, where he helps his good friend Philippe Charlopin select the grapes for Mr. Charlopin's $200 wines, Mr. Franklin has become an ardent champion of terroir and French methods, giving up the standard procedures of New World winemaking. "I am the extreme in Tasmania," he says. "I have stopped using fertilizer and irrigating, to force the roots deep into the rocky soil; I don't use any artificial yeasts, added tannins or enzymes."
Greater Launceston
Plans by timber company Gunns Ltd. to build a pulp mill along the Tamar River estuary have most of Tasmania's winemakers concerned. Those in the area fret about its impact on their immediate environment, and others worry about its impact on Tassie's "clean, green" image. Gunns is a winery powerhouse itself, having recently bought several, including Tamar Ridge Estates, which pulls together vineyards and wineries accounting for nearly 40% of the island's production. Indeed, the controversy has engulfed the pioneering Mr. Pirie too -- now Tamar Ridge's CEO, he has staked his reputation on promises that the mill will be environmentally neutral.
In the meantime, as head winemaker for Tamar Ridge, Mr. Pirie has some excellent bottles in his portfolio, including the eponymous Pirie Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnays. Among many noteworthy wineries grouped in a horseshoe around Launceston are Providence (a standout Chardonnay) and Brook Eden Vineyard (a great Pinot).
Along a valley just a few minutes drive to the east, Tasmania yields some of Australia's best sparkling wines, with the same mix of varietals that makes France's Champagne the bubbly benchmark. Half the Champagne-style bottles on Australian wine guru James Halliday's short-list of the country's finest come from here. Start with Arras, from Bay of Fires Winery -- owned by Hardy's, the Australian division of giant Constellation Brands. But don't stop there: nearby Clover Hill and Jansz make outstanding fizzy too.
--Marlowe Hood is a Paris-based writer.

$106 million boost for Tasmania's food supply chain

The Tasmanian grocery sector is set to receive a boost with the development of a $106 million retail distribution centre.
The 60,000-square metre development in Launceston has been proposed by Statewide Independent Wholesalers (SIW), a partnership of Tasmanian Independent Retailers and Woolworths. Premier David Bartlett has welcomed the proposal, saying it represented a strong vote of confidence in the Tasmanian food supply network. “I welcome what is a major investment in Tasmania. This will be a new, state-of-the-art distribution centre that will serve Tasmania well into the future,” Mr Bartlett said. “SIW will be introducing the latest supply chain technology in the state, comparable with the best facilities elsewhere in Australia and worldwide.”The new centre will supply the state’s 28 Woolworths stores plus 208 independent grocers, replacing Woolworths’ Hobart and Devonport facilities. Chairman of SIW Michael Kent said the centre would utilise modern truck-loading facilities and warehousing technology to improve supply chain efficiency. Mr Bartlett said with the latest technology, the centre would enable the major retailer to easily manage its distribution from interstate.“It will revolutionise the food supply chain in Tasmania and help to restrain prices in a climate of rising costs which is good news for consumers,” he said.

Tasmania Represented at Asia Fruit Logistica, Hong Kong

Fruit Growers Tasmania will exhibit at Asia’s largest fruit trade show in Hong Kong from September 10th to 12th.
The Minister for Primary Industries and Water, David Llewellyn, said today that this would greatly enhance Tasmania’s fruit export industry.
“Asia is seen as increasingly important to Tasmanian producers due to rising affluence in many countries, economies of freight, increasing market access and the increasing prevalence of the modern supermarket and improved cold chain,” Mr Llewellyn said.
“Asia Fruit Logistica is expected to attract over 5000 trade visitors from over 50 different countries.
“To have Fruit Growers Tasmania there exhibiting and actively promoting Tasmanian apples, cherries and stonefruit is sure to lift our industry’s profile.
“Tasmania’s cherry and stonefruit exports have increased over the last five years.
“However, with increasing production it is important that our export markets expand at a similar rate to production, in order to relieve pressure on the domestic market.”
This is only the second time the trade show has been held in Asia. It has already seen a 70% increase in exhibitors from last year’s event in Bangkok.
Fruit Growers Tasmania are attending Asia Fruit Logistica for the first time as an exhibitor, as part of a commitment to expand exports significantly over the next five years.
Lucy Gregg, Business Development Manager of FGT, believes that Tasmania’s pristine environment and modern production techniques ideally place us to sell fruit in an increasingly food safety conscious market.
“Tasmania’s climate allows it to be an attractive new player in Asia’s cherry and stonefruit market,” Ms Gregg said.
Ms Gregg can be contacted on 0408 977 725.

Big Bang II to start in Switzerland today

Big Bang II to start in Switzerland today
The world's biggest and most sophisticated science experiment begins in Switzerland later today when scientists attempt to test the Big Bang theory.
Engineers will attempt to circulate a beam of particles around the 27-kilometre-long underground tunnel that houses the Large Hadron Collider at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).
The $10 billion machine is designed to smash particles together with cataclysmic force, recreating conditions in the Universe moments after the Big Bang.
Scientists have spent three decades building the tunnel and the project has been hit by cost overruns, equipment trouble and construction problems.
The experiment has triggered a number of wild theories, with speculation that it could create a black hole of intense gravity which could suck in Europe and perhaps the whole planet.
Others have claimed that it could allow beings from another universe to invade through a hole in the space-time continuum.
Scientists vehemently reject those claims.

No commercial trials of GM poppies

By Sally Dakis
Monday, 01/09/2008
The head of Tasmanian poppy growers association says he's disappointed by plans to extend the states GM moratorium.Last week a joint parliamentary committee recommend Tasmania's ban on GM food crops continue for an additional 5 years.President of the Tasmanian Poppy Growers Association Lyndley Chopping describes the recommendation as a convenient one for the government, and he isn't giving up hope that one day Tasmania will grow commercial crops of gm poppies."I believe at the end of the five year period when it will be re-examined it has been recommended the next panel be experts, an independent panel rather than politicians only and so I think that would give a much rounder view of the re-examination" Mr Chopping said.
In this report: Lyndley Chopping, president Tasmanian Poppy Growers Association.
By Rosemary Grant
Tuesday, 02/09/2008
A new strain of a serious bee disease has just been identified in Tasmania, and beekeepers believe it's too late to eradicate it.The disease is called nosema, and Tasmania already has the European strain, nosema apis, that affects queens, drones and workers, causing dysentery.But this week a more serious form, the asian strain, nosema ceranae, has been confirmed in Tasmania, with three positive test results from 40 samples that have been analysed to date. President of the Tasmanian Beekeepers Association, Julian Woolfhagen, says nosema is a type of protozoa that can cause whole hives to collapse in the space of a week."It gives them diarrhoea, that's a physical symptom but nosema's been, amongst the congnisenty at least, well understood as one of the most severe diseases in its impact on the viability or the production of hives, therefore this nosema apis costs the beekeeping industry far more than any of its other diseases," he said.Mr Woolfhagen says more tests will be needed to establish the extent of the disease in Tasmania, but the information from Tasmania's chief vet suggests the new 'ceranae' strain can't be eradicated."It's impossible, I think at this stage. It may well have been here for some period of time, in which case it may well have gotten into the feral bee population. It might be more widespread. At this stage we're only through 30 per cent of the testing, so it's too early to tell, but I suspect in a practical sense to control it and eliminate it would be beyond any reasonable chance of success."
In this report: Julain Woolfhagen is president of the Tasmanian Beekeepers Association

Fuel supply crisis sparks renewable debate

By Rosemary Grant
Thursday, 04/09/2008
The Premier's Fuel Summit is on as we speak, with about 120 participants at the talkfest in Launceston.Amongst them is renewable fuels advocate, Bob Gordon, who's flown in from Canberra today to put the case for better planning for what he believes is the inevitable decline of petrol and diesel and the rise of biofuels and other renewables.However, Bob Gordon says it's time to acknowledge that fuel supply is in crisis, there are already major implications for primary industry, and future fuel shocks are almost certain.Bob Gordon says Australia has the capacity to match the deficit in oil with renewable fuels."We have a significant capacity in Australia to produce gaseous alternatives fuels, LPG, and biofuels, ethanol and biodiesel, sustainable without making them a risk to food sources so we have time up our sleeve, but we don't know how much time, so it's in our interest to take these steps as quickly as we possibly can."Bob Gordon says the only way of deploying alternative fuels in the short-term will be via government mandates."It requires governments, state and federal and the oil companies and the alternative fuels industry sitting around the table, bashing heads if necessary, to come together with what's in the national interest. Now is that too much to ask for?"
In this report: Bob Gordon, executive director of Renewable Fuels Australia

TFGA demands holistic government approach to drought

By Sally Dakis
Tuesday, 09/09/2008
The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) has released its drought strategy, demanding a holistic approach from the State Government. The plan is the culmination of a drought forum the lobby group held in northern Tasmania a few weeks ago.Manager Chris Oldfield said at the top of the agenda is the State Government's approach to the drought situation. "We believe the government's approach to drought in this state has been somewhat unco-ordinated," Mr Oldfield said. "It doesn't mean people have been doing wrong things, it means 'adhockery' ruling and what we want to see is a co-ordinated approach." Mr Oldfield said drought is more than plants and animals and it's important there's a whole of government approach taken to drought management, managed through the Department of Premier and Cabinet and not through Primary Industries."It's all the other social issues that come along with drought like education and mental health that can't be managed through Primary Industries.""We're suggesting the appointment of a drought secretariat and establishing regional committees because of the variability of weather and conditions throughout the state." Ideally the TFGA would like the proposed single drought management to be similar to the existing state Emergency Services plan.
In this report: Chris Oldfield, manager Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association.

Deadly abalone virus alarm

Article from:

MERYL NAIDOO
September 10, 2008 12:00am
THE deadly abalone virus that devastated Victoria's abalone industry has been found in Tasmania.Abalone at a processing plant in the state's South-East showed signs of the disease Abalone Viral Ganglioneuritis, authorities said yesterday. Tasmanian Abalone Council president Greg Woodham said two abalone had tested positive for the virus. The Department of Primary Industries and Water called Mr Woodham to a meeting yesterday for a briefing on the situation. He said the industry could not afford to panic and would wait on more results. Samples of the diseased tissue have been sent from Tasmania to the Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong for further analysis. Tasmania's wild abalone fishery is the biggest in the world, with about 25 per cent of the global annual harvest. It also supports a very active recreational fishery, involving about 12,500 people. Mr Woodham said he suspected Tasmania's situation might be different from Victoria's. "We are not seeing signs of contamination within the live holding facility that held the two that tested positive," he said. Chief Veterinary Officer Rod Andrewartha said further work was being done to confirm the diagnosis at the local processing plant. The result will be known today. The investigation was triggered when the processor reported suspect signs in abalone as part of Tasmania's abalone disease surveillance program. The virus has been spreading slowly off the Victorian coast and the Tasmanian Government put measures in place to try to stop it spreading to the state's wild fisheries. Dr Andrewartha said the big concern was whether the disease was present in any of the these fisheries. "Our current activities are aimed at trying to determine the location and extent of any disease in the wild so we can develop appropriate control measures," he said. Dr Andrewartha said intensive monitoring over recent months had found no signs of the disease in the wild. Divers from the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute collected samples near Southport yesterday with no obvious disease signs. The infectious herpes-like virus affects the nervous tissue of abalone and kills them in less than a week. A website providing updates is at www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/abalonedisease.Commercial and recreational abalone fishers are urged to check it for the latest findings.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

New Port Charges

Notice to Customers

Bell Pay Port Service Charge Changes

Following notification of the newly increased charges by Tasmanian service providers, the Port Service Charges for imports and exports to and from Bell Bay have been reviewed. Consequently the new port service charges in the table below will be implemented from 13th September 2008.

Bell Bay
Export
General Cargo
A$77/20’
A$146/40’
13th September 2008
Export
Reefer Cargo
A$64/20’
A$129/20’
13th September 2008
Import
General Cargo
A$130/20’ *
A$270/40’ *
13th September 2008
Import
Reefer Cargo
A$101/20’ *
A$202/40’ *
13th September 2008
* plus 10% GST


For further information please contact your local OOCL office in your area.

The State Government has announced its preferred site for the $80 million Brighton Transport Hub.

Last year the government announced it would fund a road-rail facility and freight distribution hub at Brighton to improve the efficiency of freight movement in and out of southern Tasmania.
The Infrastructure Department has been examining two locations for the hub.
The Minister Graeme Struges says the preferred site is an area of about 50 hectares to the west of the exisiting industrial estate.
Mr Sturges said the eastern site had aboriginal heritage issues which could not be easily overcome.
Construction is expected to begin in the first half of next year.

Tasmania looks to extend GM ban

By Cameron Wilson
Thursday, 28/08/2008
The prospect of Tasmania extending its moratorium on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for another five years has drawn a mixed reaction from farmers.A parliamentary Joint Select Committee examining Tasmania's GMO policy has recommended, "the state's prohibition on the release of GM food crops to the Tasmanian environment for commercial purposes be extended and reviewed after five years".The Committee also recommended a ban on the importation of animal feed containing "viable GMOs".The recommendation has been criticised by Tasmanian farmer Ian McKinnon."It's fairy short sighted. I think to lock things down for five years is ridiculous. "Australia's agriculture, not just Tasmania's, needs all the available tools to be successful in international markets and compete with our competitors overseas who have access to these technologies."The decision was welcomed be meat processors Greenham & Sons, a company that exports beef to a number of Asian countries.Peter Greenham jnr says it's the type of recommendation he had been hoping for."The whole time [we've been] saying, we've been GM free, what has changed recently, we are really now starting to see markets emerging and saying there's a lot more GMO in the world and people are starting to wake up and say 'is this good for us'?"
In this report: Peter Greenham jnr, Greenham & Sons Pty Ltd; Ian McKinnon, canola grower

King Island water on global menu

By Eliza Wood
Wednesday, 27/08/2008
Rainwater from Tasmania's King Island has made it into the fridge of the top restaurant in the world.King Island Cloud Juice, as it's branded, is on the water list in Spain's El Bulli - a restaurant that has nearly one chef per guest and a three year waiting list.Cloud Juice founder Duncan McFie says water appreciation is becoming trendy."Twenty years ago you'd go to a restaurant and you could get red or white wine. Today you go into any restaurant and you get a wine list. Now you go into a restaurant and most restaurants are going to have sparkling or still water. More and more restaurants are starting to get a water menu," he said.Mr McFie says he's honoured to have his water on the menu of El Bulli."I got to have dinner there and it was mind-blowing. I was getting chills from some of this food. At one stage I had tears because I could not believe how this food could be doing what it was doing."
In this report: Duncan McFie, founder, King Island Cloud Juice.

Planning for agricultural carbon trading

By Cameron Wilson
Thursday, 07/08/2008
An international expert on carbon emissions says Australian farmers should start preparing now to be ready for a carbon trading scheme.Australia will introduce a carbon reduction scheme in 2010 but farmers will not be included until 2015 at the earliest.Bill Kaye-Blake from New Zealand's Lincoln University has developed one of the world's only systems to help farmers calculate the emissions from their farms.He says after working with New Zealand farmers it's clear that cutting carbon emissions can take a long time."Seven years should be a good time for them to make some good changes, with a carbon calculator like this one, or one specific to their region if Australian researchers can come up with one, then they can look at some snapshots over time and look at how those emissions change."
In this report: Senior researcher at Lincoln University Bill Kaye-Blake.
By Jane Bardon
Friday, 01/08/2008
Consumer groups are renewing calls for all genetically modified food to be labelled.It's been considered too hard and too expensive in the past.But that could be changing.The labels on our food are providing us with a plethora of new information.We've recently added Country of Origin, and soon we'll get unit pricing.But all of the food containing GM ingredients still doesn't have to be labelled.Claire Hughes from consumer group Choice says it's time for that to change:"Consumers might want to avoid GM foods, not just because of any potential health impacts, but also because of concerns about the impact of GM on the environment or because GM crops are controlled by a small number of powerful multinational organisations, who would then gain increasing control over the food supply."Lydia Buchtmann from Food Standards Australia New Zealand says we're now eating several genetically modified foods including corn, soy, potatoes, cottonseed, canola and sugar beet."But the federal and state governments decided eight years ago it would be too difficult and too expensive for all refined GM food to be labelled because there was no test to check for very processed GM material.Lydia Buchtmann from Food Standards says there was concern the high cost of checking instead by tracing GM through the food processing chain would be passed onto consumers.So because there's no cheap test to check for refined GM, we can see if there's GM cornflour in our bread, but not if our biscuits are baked with GM oil.But Lydia Buchtmann says that could change."One possibility is that slowly testing is becoming very accurate, that even low levels of GM could be found in highly refined oils and starches, and of course you set the standard, so that if they do turn up of course they would have to be labelled," she says."But apart from that, it's a political decision."Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke says he doesn't think the rules should be changed now.The federal Labor Party changed its policy on wanting clear labelling of all GM food before the election.But Tony Burke says he might change his view if the circumstances change."The prime concern is always to make sure you've got your food safety principals looked after, and I'm comfortable about how rigorous we are on that."The second issue is how you get the balance right on making sure consumers get information and knowing that everything you add to food labelling adds an extra layer of bureaucracy and cost. I'm comfortable with where the balance is at the moment, but you never stop reassessing that balance."