The South Australian Oyster Growers’ Association (SAOGA) has received A$25,000 in State Government funding for its oyster industry project, through Round 1 of the Building South Australia’s Premium Food and Wine Credentials grant programme.
Acting Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Kyam Maher says the project will provide further assurance to customers about the quality, health, and environmental credentials of South Australian oysters.
“It will help to further distinguishing our premium, clean and green South Australian oysters in a competitive market and increase the value of this important A$35 million industry,” he said.
“A new Code will ultimately see SAOGA members independently assessed against the third-party certification. The Code will align with relevant international ISO management standards, which will make it recognised globally with customers.”
SAOGA will partner with Total Quality Certification Services International (TQCSI) to develop the TQCSI SA Oyster Growers Association Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) Code.
It will encompass the quality and food safety of oysters, environmental sustainability, and workplace safety, as well as improve industry efficiencies.
The grant programme is a key component of the Building South Australia’s Premium Food and Wine Credentials Programme – which delivers on the State Government’s election commitment to grow South Australia’s food and beverage sectors.
The programme has already seen the State’s seafood sector benefit from grants awarded for support with attaining industry-aligned third-party certifications for our diverse seafood industry.
The next round of the programme will be announced in the coming months and will see grants offered more broadly to South Australia’s food and beverage sectors.
