A new state-of-the-art research and development facility in New South Wales aims to improve market access for the state’s horticulture sector
New South Wales has unveiled its new $9 million Centre for Australian Horticultural Market Access in Ourimbah on the state’s Central Coast.
The research and development hub and will help create major projects designed to strengthen the state’s horticulture sector.
It includes state-of-the-art DNA-based tools to quickly identify foodborne germs, increased laboratory capacity to support food safety R&D programs and sorting technology to detect quarantine pests and diseases and improve fruit quality.
The centre will protect and grow NSW regional industries and markets across key horticultural industries including citrus, berries, avocados, melons and vegetables, while enhancing capacity to support supply chain efficiencies, fruit quality and food safety.
“Market access and fruit quality remain a crucial issue for the horticulture industry to continue to grow and maintain markets,” NSW agriculture minister Tara Moriarty says.
“This facility will be an essential hub for research and development to support projects critical to building domestic and export markets for NSW’s and Australia’s horticultural produce.”
Equipment available at the centre includes technology to detect quarantine pests and diseases and improve fruit quality and to reduce chemical use and improve sustainability of NSW horticultural exports.
A high-pressure washing facility has the capacity to remove surface pests and contaminants, while advanced controlled-atmosphere technologies and fumigation equipment aim to improve market access outcomes.
The centre also includes upgraded and new cool rooms and fumigation facilities to scale-up research to semi-commercial equivalence, as well as a new biosafety level 2 laboratory for containment of human pathogens with automated diagnostic workflows enhancing food safety surveillance.
