Media Release: Ribbon Cut on Multi-Million-Dollar New Viterra Laboratory

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP was honoured to represent the Premier at the official opening of Viterra’s new $3 million purpose-built grain quality control laboratory yesterday, and speak about the vital role the agricultural industry plays in SA before cutting the ribbon.

A tour of the facility preceded the ceremony opened by Viterra General Manager Tim Krause and attended by grain marketers and field offices from intra and interstate and representatives from Glencore, Centre State Exports, San Remo, Biosecurity SA, PIRSA, Coopers Brewery, Inghams, and Grain Growers Limited.

“This multi-million-dollar laboratory well demonstrates Viterra’s long-term commitment to SA’s grain industry and primary producers, and it is great to see investment in our State that enhances competitive advantage and promotes our high-quality products to the world.”

Fraser appreciated being shown the state of the art equipment and quality control systems, viewing the pasta making demonstration, and tasting the barley by-products of wort and shochu.

“The opening of this new facility is testament to the success that agriculture is experiencing in South Australia, and evidence of it having carried us through the good and lean years.

“The reliability of this industry is felt at all levels, from country town traders whose good years tend to correspond with good years on the land, right up to the office of the Treasurer of the day faced with balancing the books”.

Mr Ellis spoke about the first 100 days of the new Liberal Government and the work undertaken in the areas of mandatory farm debt mediation, removal of stamp duty on multi-peril crop insurance, cutting payroll tax and emergency services levy bills, funding a Small Business Commissioner to better support farmers in their dealings with mining companies, and reviewing the moratorium on genetically modified crops.

“Agriculture is the workhorse that keeps this State afloat. The new Marshall Government knows this and will ensure that this sector of our economy will finally receive the respect and support it deserves after a decade and a half of being taken for granted.”