Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke will open the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association annual conference today as part of a two-day visit to the Northern Territory.

The Minister will also visit the Darwin Aquaculture Centre to announce $218,000 in joint research funding and will inspect the Paspaley Pearls showroom.

He said the cattle industry was vital for the Territory’s economy, supporting local jobs and a growing export industry.

“I am looking forward to discussing the cattle industry’s long-term future with local experts,” Mr Burke said.

“The Territory already accounts for nearly 45 per cent of Australia’s half-billion dollar live cattle trade.

“Growing demand from South East Asia, including China and Vietnam, is opening new opportunities and expanding export markets.

“I will continue working with local producers and advocates such as the Member for Solomon Damian Hale to discuss how the Federal Government can best support the industry.”

Mr Burke will also join Damian Hale at the Darwin Aquaculture Centre, to announce a new research project to boost Australia’s growing mud crab industry.

The $218,000 project includes $100,000 over 18 months from the Federal Government through the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and $118,000 in total from the Northern Territory, Queensland, NSW and Western Australian governments.

“Aquaculture research is vital to ensure we can continue to meet market demand for fresh seafood, while protecting the sustainability of our wildfisheries,” Mr Burke said.

“The mud crab is a popular delicacy among chefs and consumer and is the second most valuable Northern Territory fishery, worth $4.7 million in 2005.

“This research will help us to understand more about recent ‘boom and bust’ cycles in availability.”

Northern Territory Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries Chris Natt welcomed the Rudd Government’s contribution towards ensuring the sustainability of the mud crab fishery.

“Fishing is the lure of the Territory and not only are barramundi highly sought-after, but so too are our mud crabs,” Mr Natt said.

“This funding will enable our researchers to determine how environmental factors impact on mud crab numbers in the Territory with the aim of developing models to predict catches.”

Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke will also tour the Darwin premises of one of Australia’s oldest and largest pearl producers — Paspaley Pearls.

The pearl industry in northern Australia is worth over $250 million and employs around 1,000 people.

On Saturday morning, the Minister will tour the Woolner floodplain, where the Federal Government’s Landcare Program is funding invasive weed control.