WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/AG/N/AUS/83 
17 August 2011 
 (11-4093) 
Committee on Agriculture Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION  
 
  The following submission, dated 29 July 2011, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of Australia .  The notification concerns new or modified domestic support measures 
exempt from reduction ( Table DS:2 ). 
 G/AG/N/AUS/83 
Page 2  
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT:  Australia  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
(1) Full title of measure:   Supporting More Efficient Irrigation in Tasmania 
(2) Domestic legislation:   Nil 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria: 
The Supporting More Efficient Irrigation in Tasmania program is part of the Sustainable 
Rural Water Use and Infrastructure component of Water for the Future. 
The Supporting More Efficient Irrigation in Tasmania program is intended to promote the 
sustainable and efficient use of water resources within Tasmania's irrigation sector.  It will also contribute to the outcomes of Water fo r the Future - using water wisely and securing 
future water supplies; securing a long-term su stainable future for irrigation communities in 
the context of climate change and reduced wate r availability into the future;  and accelerating 
Tasmania's implementation of Na tional Water Initiative commitments. 
The Australian Government has committe d to funding up to $140 million towards the 
Supporting More Efficient Irrigation in Tasmania  program to promote the development of 
modern and efficient irrigation in Tasmania.  The Tasmanian Government has also committed 
funding of up to $80 million towards the progr am, with the remainder of funding provided by 
the irrigators who benefit from individual projects. 
The Supporting More Efficient Irrigation in Tasmania program is delivered under an 
Implementation Plan as part of the National Part nership Agreement for Water for the Future.  
The Implementation Plan was agreed between the Tasmanian and Australian Governments in 
October 2009.  A comprehensive due diligence pr ocess is undertaken for all projects prior to 
the approval of Australian Government f unding. Australian Government funding of 
successful projects under the program will be made  directly to the Tasmanian Government.  
This measure is exempt from reduction commit ments consistent with  Paragraph 2(g) – 
infrastructure services – of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture. 
(4) Cost of measure:   
Overall cost of measure (Budget) - A$220.00 million 
2009/10 expenditure - A$20.27 million 
(5) Date of entry into effect:   2009/10 
(6) Period of application:   Until 2016/17 
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s)):   
This measure is non-product-specific.  G/AG/N/AUS/83 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT:  Australia  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
(1) Full title of measure:  On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program  
(2) Domestic legislation:   Nil 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria: 
The On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program is pa rt of the Sustainable Rural Water Use and 
Infrastructure component of Water for the Future . 
The $300 million On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Progr am is aimed at assisting irrigators in the 
Lachlan and southern connected system of th e Murray-Darling Basin to modernise their on-
farm irrigation infrastructure while returning wate r savings to the environment.  The southern 
connected system includes the New South Wales Murray, Victorian Murray, South Australia Murray, Murrumbidgee, Kiewa, Ovens, Goulbur n, Broken, Campaspe, Loddon, Avoca, and 
the lower Darling (south of Meni ndee Lakes) river catchments. 
Funding will be awarded through three compe titive rounds over the four-year duration of the 
program.  Under the first round announced in  March 2010, $100 million of in-principle 
funding was approved for delivery partners  for individual irrigator sub-projects. 
This measure is exempt from reduction commit ments consistent with Paragraph 2(g) – 
infrastructure services – of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.  
(4) Cost of measure:   
Overall cost of measure (Budget) - A$300.00 million 
2009/10 expenditure - A$3.02 million 
(5) Date of entry into effect:   2009/10 
(6) Period of application:   Initially to June 2013 
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s)):   
 
This measure is non-product-specific. 
 G/AG/N/AUS/83 
Page 4  
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT:  Australia  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
(1) Full title of measure:  Lower Lakes Integrated Pipeline Project (Irrigation Water 
Component)  
(2) Domestic legislation:   Nil 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:  
The Lower Lakes Integrated Pipeline Project (Irrigation Water Component) is a major 
infrastructure project to construct a pipeline to pr ovide irrigation water to irrigators within the 
Langhorne and Currency Creeks region and assist in maintaining the long-term viability of 
the rural communities adjacent to the Lower La kes in South Australia.  The irrigators 
accessing the pipeline were previously dependent upon Lake Alexandrina and its tributaries, 
but their supplies of lake water were compromised by ongoing drought. 
Australian Government funding of $87.32 million was provided towards the construction of 
the pipeline.  Irrigators also contributed directly to the project cost and pay for the water.  The 
project forms part of the Water for the Future Program, and was finalised as part of the state 
Priority Projects agreed between the Commonwealth and state governments in mid-2008. 
This measure is exempt from reduction commit ments consistent with  Paragraph 2(g) – 
infrastructure services – of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.  
(4) Cost of measure:   
 Overall cost of measure (Budget) – A$87.32 million 
 2008/09 expenditure – A$1.50 million1 
 2009/10 expenditure - A$85.82 million  
(5) Date of entry into effect:   2008/09 
(6) Period of application:   Two years to 30 June 2010 
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s)):   
This measure is non-product-specific. 
 
                                                      
1 Set-up costs commenced in 2008/09, program delivered in 2009/10.  G/AG/N/AUS/83 
 Page 5 
 
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT:  Australia  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
(1) Full title of measure:  Irrigated Farm Modernisation Project – NSW On-Farm Modernisation 
(Border Rivers-Gwydir Valley Pilot Program)  
(2) Domestic legislation:   Nil 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:   
Under the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Mu rray-Darling Basin Reform, the Australian 
Government agreed to fund a suite of State-in itiated water efficiency projects.  The purpose of 
these projects is to reduce the current level of water extractions to sustainable levels.  The Border Rivers-Gwydir Valley Pilot Program is an early works component of the Irrigated Farm Modernisation project, which has up to  $300 million allocated to it, subject to 
satisfactory due diligence.  The latter project has not complete d the due diligence process and 
funding has yet to be formally approved by the Australian Government. 
Under the Pilot Program, the Australian Gove rnment is acquiring entitlements to water 
savings generated by investing in infrastru cture upgrades and improving current irrigation 
practices to create on-farm irrigation efficien cies.  Typically, this involves works such as 
reconfiguring farm dams to avoid evaporati on losses;  installing new water application 
systems, such as centre pivot or lateral move systems;  and reducing transmission losses 
through the upgrade of farm channels and im proved water delivery systems using pressurised 
pumps.  In return for Australian Government fundi ng, grant recipients are expected to return 
half the water savings to the Australian Govern ment in the form of secure water entitlements 
to be held by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder , which will use its water for 
environmental purposes. 
The project is managed by the NSW Department  of Industry and Investment through a tender 
process.  It has been allocated $6.7 million,  of which $4.7 million comprise grants to 
irrigators.  There have been eight successful tenderers who are receiving financial incentives 
of up to 80 per cent of the cost of improving their on-farm irrigation infrastructure. 
This measure is exempt from reduction commit ments consistent with Paragraph 2(g) – 
infrastructure services – of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture. 
(4) Cost of measure :   
  Overall cost of measure (Budget) - A$6.70 million   
 2009/10 expenditure - A$6.70 million  
(5) Date of entry into effect:   2009/10 
(6) Period of application:   Until 30 June 2010 
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s)):   
  
 This measure is non-product-specific.G/AG/N/AUS/83 
Page 6  
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT:  Australia  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
(1) Full title of measure:  FarmTraining WA  
(2) Domestic legislation:   Rural Business Development Corporation Act 2000 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria: 
FarmTraining WA provides training subsidies fo r primary producers (including indigenous 
land holders) in WA to assist in building th eir capacity to manage changing climatic 
conditions, fluctuating markets and other risks associated with managing and developing their 
business.  FarmTraining WA also engaged a range of industry groups and a Registered 
Training Organisation to undertake pilot pr ojects Recognising Current  Competencies (RCC) 
and introducing the Skills Passpor ts to a range of industries. 
Pre-approved eligible group training activiti es supported under FarmTraining WA must focus 
on enhancing the capability and skills of pr imary producers, rural land managers and 
indigenous land managers to improve their skills to manage  changing climatic conditions, 
fluctuating markets, and other risks associated  with managing and developing their business.  
A total of $1.5 million in funding has been allocat ed to the program for one year, to maintain 
the momentum and contacts established through former FarmBis schemes.  Unspent funds are 
to be rolled over in subsequent financial year s as per legislation.  The remaining $150,000 is 
to be expended by 30 June 2011.  A limit of $50,000 in total, over the life of the program, may be payable to a single eligible trainer, unless otherwise approved by the RBDC. 
This measure is exempt from reduction commit ments consistent with Paragraph 2(c) – 
training services – of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture .  
(4) Cost of measure:   
Overall cost of measure (Budget) - A$1.5 million 
2008/09 expenditure - A$1.15 million  2009/10 expenditure - A$0.2 million 
(5) Date of entry into effect:   
2008/09  
(6) Period of application:  Until 30 June 2011 
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s)):   
 This measure is non-product-specific.   G/AG/N/AUS/83 
 Page 7 
 
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT:  Australia  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
(1) Full title of measure:  Farming Family Shire Rate Assistance  
(2) Domestic legislation: Nil 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:   
The Farming Family Shire Rate Assistance is funded by the Victorian Government, providing 
a 50 per cent concession on municipal rates and char ges to eligible farming families receiving 
Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payments from Centrelink. 
This measure is exempt from reduction commitmen ts consistent with Paragraph 8 – payments 
for relief from natural disasters – of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.    
(4) Cost of measure:   
 Overall cost of measure (Budget) - A$52.8 million 
 2009/10 expenditure - A$7.85 million 
(5) Date of entry into effect:   7 July 2005 
(6) Period of application:   2005/06 to 2009/10 
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s)):   
 This measure is non-product-specific. 
 
 G/AG/N/AUS/83 
Page 8  
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT:  Australia  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
(1) Full title of measure:  Climate Adaptation Assistance Scheme  
(2) Domestic legislation:   Nil 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria: 
The Climate Change Adaptation Scheme assists primary producers in the North Eastern 
Agricultural Region (NEAR) and Central Agricu ltural Region (CAR) of Western Australia to 
adapt to the changing climate by developing a long-term strategy for the management of 
issues farmers face in the event of consecutive poor years. 
The scheme provides funding for a range of measures to assist primary producers and/or 
farming industry groups to improve their cap acity to interpret and respond to climate 
indicators, and to implement appropriate risk ma nagement practices.  It also provides funding 
for research into identifying benchmark farming practices across a range of primary 
production enterprises, as well as the provision of advice on the restructuring or retirement of 
non-productive land in the NEAR and CAR. 
This measure is exempt from reduction commit ments consistent with Paragraph 2(d) – 
extension and advisory services – of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.  
(4) Cost of measure:   
 Overall cost of measure (Budget) – A$1.75 million 
 2009/10 expenditure – A$0.27 million  
(5) Date of entry into effect:   2009/10 
(6) Period of application:   4 years to 30 June 2013 
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s)):   
  
 This measure is non-product-specific.   G/AG/N/AUS/83 
 Page 9 
 
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT:  Australia  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
(1) Full title of measure:  Drought Mentors  
(2) Domestic legislation:   Nil 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria: 
The Drought Mentors Program provides financ ial counselling advice to farming businesses 
experiencing financial hardship because of dr ought.  Through working face to face with 
farming businesses (families and i ndividuals) and networking with  relevant service providers, 
Drought Mentors: 
 Assist clients to progress toward/make positive d ecisions relating to their future (whether 
inside or outside of farming). 
 Connect clients with other resources/service providers to action decisions made by the 
client or where further information /specialis t help is required to properly consider an 
option. 
This measure is exempt from reduction commit ments consistent with Paragraph 2(d) – 
extension and advisory services – of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.  
(4) Cost of measure:   
 Overall cost of measure (Budget) – A$1.75 million 
 2009/10 expenditure – A$0.36 million  
(5) Date of entry into effect:   2009/10 
(6) Period of application:   4 years to 30 June 2013 
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s)):   
  
 This measure is non-product-specific. G/AG/N/AUS/83 
Page 10  
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT:  Australia  
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction  
(1) Full title of measure:  Food Adelaide Program (South Australia)  
(2) Domestic legislation:   Nil 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria: 
The Food Adelaide Program is a South Austra lian Government initiative aimed at promoting 
South Australia based agriculture and food co mpanies internationally by improving their 
understanding of trading and competing in intern ational markets. Funding is also provided to 
facilitate attendance at international events. 
This measure is exempt from reduction commit ments consistent with Paragraph 2(f) – 
marketing and promotion services – of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.  
(4) Cost of measure:   
 Overall cost of measure (Budget) – A$0.50 million 
 2009/10 expenditure – A$0.50 million 
(5) Date of entry into effect:   2009/10 
(6) Period of application:   Until 30 June 2010 
(7) Products to principally benefit (if any individual product(s)):   
  
 This measure is non-product-specific.   
__________